The ancient Immortalbane Nexus did not move. In that instant, it seemed as if everyone held their breath, yet the scene was eerily silent.
No sound, no rumble; when Ghostly Stern saw the soul-devouring demon staff, with its momentum like a thousand stones, strike the Immortalbane Nexus, it suddenly fell silent, as if landing in a pile of cotton.
A roar erupted from the edge of the woods, and figures leaped into action. The elders of the Azure Ethereal Conclave appeared one by one, flying towards the scene at lightning speed. But when they saw the Immortalbane Nexus in Ghostly Stern’s hand, their faces turned ashen. Soon, more and more members of the Azure Ethereal Conclave gathered. In such chaos, no one cared about the original prohibitions, and they all rushed into what was once the forbidden ground of the Azure Ethereal Conclave. Among them were Wen Min from Lesser Bamboo Peak and others from Greater Bamboo Peak. When they saw Ghostly Stern, their faces paled. Wen Min and the other women from Lesser Bamboo Peak then noticed Lu Xueqi lying weakly to the side and hurried over to help her up.
As if disturbed by the gathering crowd, something was triggered. In the gaze of all, the Immortalbane Nexus, though still in Ghostly Stern’s hand, began to change.
On the ancient, slightly rough, non-stone, non-jade blade, where a fine crack had appeared, due to Ghostly Stern’s powerful strike, the crack had widened. From within the crack, a faint, ghostly red light began to emanate, as if the blood that had been absorbed was coming to life, pulsating deep within the blade.
Like a calm sea gradually growing turbulent, brewing an unstoppable storm, enveloping the heavens and earth!
Silence, silence… Everyone saw the changes in the Immortalbane Nexus, but no one knew what to do. Before the Hall of Illusory Moon, all was quiet, and everyone held their breath, waiting.
Whose heart was beating with a secret dread?
Ghostly Stern felt thirsty, subconsciously trying to release the Immortalbane Nexus. But in the next moment, he discovered that his strength had seemingly vanished in an instant. A familiar yet distant feeling surged within him, a feeling that was once feared by his enemies.
His vital essence slowly began to boil and surge, with a tendency to flow out, directed towards the Immortalbane Nexus in his hand. He seemed to understand something, desperately trying to release the sword, but found himself powerless. The Immortalbane Nexus now seemed like an awakened demon, tightly gripping him, refusing to let go. Even the soul-devouring demon staff in his right hand was now firmly attached to the blade of the Immortalbane Nexus.
The red light in the fine crack on the blade of the Immortalbane Nexus gradually intensified, spreading like blood through veins, from the crack, diffusing in fine, bloody lines along the blade. The ancient blade slowly became covered in a blood-red hue.
Everyone was stunned, including the knowledgeable elders. At this moment, everyone knew something was wrong, but no one knew exactly what was happening or what to do.
The Immortalbane Nexus, seemingly ignoring everyone’s concerns, continued its transformation. The eerie blood-red glow finally covered the entire blade, turning the once-ancient sword into a strange and sinister blood-red weapon. The dim, red light swirled, almost like the eyes of a revived demon, slowly awakening and surveying the surroundings.
The atmosphere in the air seemed to freeze until the man holding the Immortalbane Nexus let out a pain-filled, gut-wrenching scream.
“Aaaah!”
The sound was so shrill that everyone jumped, their attention immediately focused on Ghostly Stern. His face was deathly pale, his body trembling, and the skin on his hands and feet, not covered by clothing, began to wither and dry. At the same time, the Immortalbane Nexus emitted a strange, soft howl, the red light growing brighter. Keen-eyed individuals saw that red threads were being drawn from Ghostly Stern’s left hand into the blade of the Immortalbane Nexus.
The scene was bizarre, with no trace of the righteous and upright aura of the Azure Ethereal Conclave. Everyone was stunned, but no one moved.
Except for Lu Xueqi.
The woman, who had been lying weakly in Wen Min’s arms, suddenly struggled, as if she wanted to rush towards Ghostly Stern and the Immortalbane Nexus. Wen Min, startled, tried to hold her back. After struggling, Lu Xueqi’s body eventually slumped, and though she was visibly anxious, her voice died in her throat. She leaned against Wen Min, her eyes deep with concern, gazing at the man.
After countless thoughts and agonizing deliberations, was she watching him die in such a miserable way before her very eyes?
Tears streamed down her face, and she could no longer care about the gazes of the others around her.
********
The red light on the Immortalbane Nexus grew ever brighter, while Ghostly Stern’s condition worsened. Anyone could see that under the “divine power” of the Immortalbane Nexus, this malevolent and evil figure, a grave threat to the righteous, was at the brink of death. Perhaps, this was the divine sword’s spirit, working its magic to rid the world of evil!
Many thought this, but no one dared to question the logic.
Ghostly Stern, naturally, had no time to think about others’ thoughts. At this moment, he was struggling between life and death. The devouring power of the Immortalbane Nexus was growing, even surpassing the force he had experienced years ago when he encountered the Bloodthirsty Pearl on the back of Greater Bamboo Peak. However, his cultivation and skill far surpassed that of the young boy he once was, allowing him to hold on until now. Yet, he knew he could not last much longer.
The strange devouring power of the Immortalbane Nexus was similar to the Bloodthirsty Pearl, but more potent. Unlike the Bloodthirsty Pearl, which only consumed blood, the transformed Immortalbane Nexus also devoured the spiritual energy Ghostly Stern had cultivated over the years.
In Ghostly Stern’s eyes, the Immortalbane Nexus glowed with a blood-red light, resembling a demon opening its maw, ready to consume him.
Was this the end?
Just before he lost consciousness, the thought flashed through his mind.
A warm surge rose from his heart, spreading through his meridians. His body jolted, and his mind briefly cleared. With a roar, he channeled all his cultivated energy, summoning the Three Volumes of the Celestial Scripture. Green, golden, and red auras arose, though not very bright, they restored his vitality.
The Great Brahma Prajna guarded his heart, and the Immortalbane Nexus paused. Seizing this moment, Ghostly Stern’s right arm thickened, and a dark red light shot through, flowing into the soul-devouring demon staff. Just as he prepared to counterattack, the devouring power of the Immortalbane Nexus broke through the Great Brahma Prajna, leaving him paralyzed and unable to move, his mind dimming once again.
To onlookers, Ghostly Stern’s face was gaunt, almost like a corpse. Those who had known Zhang Xiaofan, like Song Daren, turned away, unable to bear the sight.
At this moment, when it seemed all was lost, the soul-devouring demon staff in Ghostly Stern’s hand suddenly lit up. Dark green light pulsed, and the Bloodthirsty Pearl atop the staff, with its demonic red veins, glowed anew. Within the pearl, for the first time, golden Buddhist mantras appeared beneath the dark green light and red veins.
The true methods of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonology merged into one in Ghostly Stern’s final, desperate strike.
The Bloodthirsty Pearl grew brighter, its bizarre yet dazzling light flickering. The entire soul-devouring demon staff illuminated, as if calling out. Moments later, a dull sound emerged from where the staff met the Immortalbane Nexus.
People only then noticed that besides Ghostly Stern’s left hand, the soul-devouring demon staff in his right hand was still connected to the Immortalbane Nexus, not having fallen off.
The Bloodthirsty Pearl’s light intensified, and the three-colored radiance swirled, emitting a low, ancient, and god-like hum.
“Uuuh… Uuuh… Uuuh…”
A red, translucent vapor was drawn from the crack in the Immortalbane Nexus, merging into the soul-devouring demon staff. It rolled within the Bloodthirsty Pearl, seeming to resist, but soon, it was subdued by the peculiar aura within the pearl, turning into a pale red. Part of it was assimilated by the soul-devouring demon staff, and most of it was re-infused into Ghostly Stern’s body.
This strange transformation continued, drawing more and more red vapor from the Immortalbane Nexus. As the soul-devouring demon staff grew stronger, so did Ghostly Stern’s complexion, recovering its color and regaining a faint, luminous warmth.
The red glow on the Immortalbane Nexus, once blinding, faded, unable to resist the Bloodthirsty Pearl’s power, while the soul-devouring demon staff shone brighter. The Azure Ethereal Conclave disciples, noticing the situation, realized that Ghostly Stern was using some unknown demonic trick to overpower the Immortalbane Nexus.
Amidst the commotion, several people shouted, and various magical items flew towards Ghostly Stern. Focused on battling the Immortalbane Nexus, he did not react, and the magical items struck him, causing him to stagger. Blood spewed from his mouth, landing on the Immortalbane Nexus. The sword, which had been dormant, suddenly flared with red light, regaining its power. Feeling the surge, Ghostly Stern, already wounded, sensed the devouring power intensify.
Realizing the dire situation, he roared, channeling all his remaining strength and newly integrated powers, striking with all his might.
Though no visible movement was seen, the onlookers watched as he was hit by several magical items, spewing blood onto the Immortalbane Nexus. The sword’s red light flickered, and just as it seemed to regain full power, a loud explosion and cracking sounds were heard. Ghostly Stern was launched away, like an arrow, flying over the heads of the crowd, landing in the distant forest.
The Azure Ethereal Conclave members were stunned, but someone shouted, “Pursue! We can’t let that demon escape!”
Awakened, many raced after Ghostly Stern, seeing this as the perfect opportunity to kill him.
As the crowd took to the skies in pursuit, only the members of Greater and Lesser Bamboo Peaks remained, frozen in place. Song Daren and others hesitated, torn between pursuing and letting him go, while Wen Min and the others were alarmed to see Lu Xueqi had fainted.
As the women from Lesser Bamboo Peak rushed to help Lu Xueqi, a faint, sharp sound pierced the chaos.
Though small, it cut through the hearts of the Azure Ethereal Conclave disciples like a needle. It was a sound of something breaking, coming from the Immortalbane Nexus.
Everyone’s face paled, as if the soft crack was the echo of the world’s end. They slowly turned, as if the action required all their strength.
Under their gaze, the legendary Immortalbane Nexus, standing silently in the ground, let out another tiny crack from the widened line on its blade.
The crack grew, spreading slowly but surely across the ancient and once-holy blade. Finally, the Immortalbane Nexus groaned and snapped.
Crack!
Half of the blade, still attached to the hilt, fell to the ground, while the other half remained embedded in the earth.
Everyone was frozen, breathless, their minds blank…
The Immortalbane Nexus… had broken.
The clear sky suddenly rumbled, and thunder roared. Dark clouds gathered, and the sky above the Azure Ethereal Mountain turned black. Wind and rain came, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and a fierce storm, pouring down like a deluge.
It seemed the very heavens were weeping!
That night, the heavens mourned, and the divine sword was broken!
********
Cold rain lashed against his face, stinging like knives. The chill made Ghostly Stern feel as if he were frozen. He couldn’t help but groan.
The torrential rain had been falling for an hour without abating. Though it was still daytime, the dark clouds hung low, making it as dark as midnight. This allowed Ghostly Stern, severely injured, to temporarily avoid the Azure Ethereal Conclave’s pursuit. The strange battle with the Immortalbane Nexus, especially the final blow, had left him with broken ribs, each step excruciating. Despite his profound cultivation, he was still mortal, and the pain was overwhelming.
He wanted nothing more than to lie down and fall into a deep sleep, but the last vestige of clarity in his mind told him he must keep moving. Given his feud with the Azure Ethereal Conclave and his current state, if he were discovered, there would be no mercy.
But he had a reason to live!
So he forced himself to continue, staggering forward, putting more distance between himself and the Azure Ethereal Mountain for safety.
The rain poured down, as if the heavens sought to cleanse the world of its evils. Ghostly Stern gasped, each breath forming a faint white mist in the dark, rainy night. Cold and pain engulfed him, and the sounds of pursuit grew closer, filled with murderous intent.
Clearly, though he was desperately fleeing, his injuries slowed him, and the pursuers were gaining ground. The dense forest and the dark, stormy weather provided temporary cover, but Ghostly Stern knew it was only a matter of time.
Stumbling, he tripped over a branch or vine, nearly falling. Desperately grabbing a small tree, he managed to steady himself, but the effort caused intense pain, leaving him breathless and unable to run.
The sounds of pursuit grew closer, as if someone had detected him in the storm. Orders were given, and footsteps converged on his location.
Ghostly Stern’s heart sank, but he refused to surrender. Realizing he couldn’t outrun them, he closed his eyes and silently slid into the mud, face down, blending into the filth.
Footsteps and shouts approached, and many people cursed, striking the surrounding trees and bushes. The wind howled, and many rushed in.
Ghostly Stern lay motionless in the darkness, his heart still, waiting for fate’s judgment.
The heavens are indifferent,
Perhaps all things are but straw dogs to the cosmos…
The storm raged on!
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