The endless tide of monstrous beasts surged forward in waves, fiercely crashing into the luminous barrier shielding the righteous with the massive beasts as their vanguard. The barrier seemed on the verge of collapsing, and a faint glimmer of fear flickered across the faces of the younger disciples. Xiao Yicai, with his brows furrowed, knew that if they did not drive back these leading beasts, the situation would spiral out of control.
With a roar, he called to the disciples around him, leading the charge towards a nearby giant beast. But just as he moved, a gust of wind whistled past, and a figure darted past him like a lightning bolt, heading straight for the beast.
Xiao Yicai glanced at the figure, recognizing the slender, icy beauty despite the splatters of crimson—Lu Xueqi. She soared against the wind, charging towards the colossal beast that was many times her size.
Another figure emerged beside her—it was Zeng Shushu, his once clean face now marred by bloodstains. “Xiao Senior Brother, we must help her!” he shouted urgently.
Xiao Yicai nodded and rushed forward. The giant beast they faced was the immense white bone serpent that had appeared in the Southern Miao people’s Seven Mile Cavern. Under the black clouds, its bones gleamed with an unnatural pallor, and its three pairs of colorful wings, attached directly to its skeleton, were particularly eerie.
At this moment, the white bone serpent coiled its almost ten-meter-long body, flapping its bony wings. Its snake tongue darted in and out, spewing dark venom, glaring menacingly at the righteous barrier. Each sweep of its massive head claimed the lives of lesser disciples, either by its gaping maw or the lethal poison.
The serpent, having killed many, reveled in the sight of fleeing disciples, its mouth opening and closing in a cruel smirk. In its moment of triumph, a white figure flashed before it, a cool, clear voice issuing a command. A stunning woman appeared in the air, her blue celestial sword glowing with brilliant light, cleaving down from above.
The serpent roared, showing no sign of evasion, and opened its maw, baring two huge, gleaming fangs, lunging at Lu Xueqi.
As the fangs, larger than a man, descended with a cold, white glow, Lu Xueqi’s face remained expressionless, unconcerned. The light of the Tianya sword blazed brighter, rising to the heavens, cutting through the black fog and clouds, and striking the serpent’s chest before it could react.
A low, deep rumble erupted, starting as a muted sound but quickly turning into a bestial howl. The serpent paused, stunned, and looked down to see a faint crack spreading across its chest, rapidly widening and fracturing, sending pieces flying.
The Tianya sword, a divine weapon, had injured even this formidable creature.
The serpent let out a deafening roar, its eyes blazing with spectral flames, filled with fury. It ignored the others and turned its wrath on Lu Xueqi, lashing out with its massive head.
In that instant, Xiao Yicai, Zeng Shushu, and others arrived, shouting and launching their own attacks. The collective power of their magic and swords met the serpent’s crushing blow, but the resulting explosion sent them reeling, barely maintaining their positions. The sheer might of the beast was beyond imagination, and with the enigmatic Beast God behind it, the battle was daunting.
Despite the force of the serpent, the combined efforts of the young prodigies, each wielding potent artifacts, managed to land several blows. One of the strikes fractured a small bone. The serpent roared again, its eyes ablaze, and attacked relentlessly, clearly enraged.
Xiao Yicai, Lu Xueqi, and Zeng Shushu flew up, knowing they could not match the beast’s ferocity head-on. As it exhaled a thick, poisonous black fog, they circled it, attacking from all sides.
In the midst of the chaos, the six massive beasts under the command of the monstrous horde were engaged by the elite disciples. Though they struggled, they managed to hold the line, stabilizing the battle. With the large beasts occupied, the ordinary disciples gained confidence, and the barrier began to stabilize.
Outside the Jade Clear Hall, Daoxuan and others watched the battle with grave expressions. The blood-soaked battlefield was a testament to the countless lives lost. Daoxuan, observing the struggle, saw the elite disciples, though valiant, beginning to falter against the powerful beasts.
Daoxuan’s face was solemn. He looked up at the swirling black clouds, which were descending lower and closer.
Yi Lan coughed softly, whispering, “Senior Brother Daoxuan, given the current situation, should we…”
He did not need to finish; Daoxuan understood. The battle was indeed tense. He turned to Yi Lan, nodding. “Rest assured, Valley Master.”
Turning, he saw the assembled elders and leaders of the righteous forces. These venerable figures, with their silver hair and dignified auras, were the last line of defense. After a long silence, Daoxuan spoke, “Everyone, go forth.”
No one spoke, but as he gave the order, the elders bowed and took to the skies, flying towards the battlefield.
Outside the hall, six more figures stood—leaders of the Azure Ethereal Vapors’ six branches. They had surprisingly not joined the battle. Daoxuan nodded to them, “It seems the situation is dire. I entrust you with the task we discussed.”
The younger generation, like Qi Hao, were respectful, while the more experienced ones, like Tian Yibei, Zeng Shuchang, and Water Moon Master, remained calm. They understood the gravity of the task and showed no surprise. Only Tian Yibei’s face showed a hint of unease.
The six leaders bowed to Daoxuan and dispersed, flying in different directions, returning to their respective mountains. Tian Yibei hesitated, looking back at Daoxuan. “Senior Brother, be cautious. After the Seal of Heaven is opened, the Divine Sword’s malevolence will surge, and the backlash will be overwhelming. Don’t… don’t tarnish your legacy.”
Daoxuan nodded, his face somber. “Tian Yibei, I understand. For the sake of the world, I will take the risk.”
Tian Yibei’s face twitched, but he said nothing more. He nodded, and with a flash of yellow light, he flew towards the Great Bamboo Peak.
***
The fierce sounds of battle from the front of the mountain faded as one approached the back of the Mountain Summit. The mist dissipated, and the birdsong made the place seem like another world. Yet, even here, the shadow of conflict lingered.
The green Zhanlong Sword glowed dimly, trembling as if in sorrow. An old man lay motionless, his head tilted to one side. Lin Jingyu, kneeling beside him, was red-faced with rage, his eyes blazing, teeth clenched. Despite his silence, a touch of madness seemed to lurk beneath.
In the shadows, the black-robed Ghost Master observed Lin Jingyu. His gaze shifted from the lifeless body of Wan Jianyi to Lin Jingyu, then to the sword. Suddenly, he turned to look in the direction of the Moonlit Cave.
The path was lonely and desolate, showing no signs of life. No one could see the expression hidden beneath the black veil.
Lin Jingyu’s mind was a tumult. Wan Jianyi’s sudden death had driven him to the brink of insanity. Since the rebellion of his master, Cang Song, ten years ago, Wan Jianyi had become a mentor and father figure to him. His teachings and demeanor had deeply influenced Lin Jingyu.
Now, the man he revered lay dead before him, and he didn’t even know who the murderer was. Grief, pain, and despair fueled his anger, pushing him closer to madness.
Suddenly, a sound came from the forest behind him.
Lin Jingyu turned, seeing a figure flash through the trees, moving with incredible speed. Before he could think, he seized the Zhanlong Sword and gave chase, driven by a singular desire for vengeance. He raced through the forest, his mind focused only on catching the mysterious figure.
The figure sped ahead, leaving the Ancestor Hall and stopping briefly at a fork before vanishing down the path to the Moonlit Cave. Lin Jingyu, eyes burning with rage, followed, entering the forbidden path without hesitation.
The wind blew, and the branches rustled, but soon, only the old man lay there, gazing at the passing clouds.
***
Despite Lin Jingyu’s best efforts, he could not catch the elusive figure. The shadow vanished at a bend, leaving only a cave entrance with the words: “Moonlit Cave” carved above it.
Lin Jingyu stopped, his heart racing. He knew this was a forbidden area, yet he entered, driven by desperation.
Inside, the small cave was empty. Lin Jingyu’s eyes fell on the yin-yang symbol embedded in the wall. The ancient pattern seemed to tell a story of time. He reached out, touching the symbol.
The material felt rough, but there was no reaction. As he tried to move it, a searing heat coursed through his arm. Panic set in, but his arm was held fast by an unseen force. The cave walls groaned, as if awakening, and the heat became unbearable.
Desperate, Lin Jingyu poured all his power into resisting the heat, using the Azure Ethereal Vapors’ Taoist techniques. Just as he was about to collapse, the heat suddenly withdrew, and the cave returned to silence.
The yin-yang symbol turned, and the stone wall split, revealing a strange, foggy opening. Inside, the air swirled mysteriously, concealing secrets unknown.
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