On both sides of the battlefield, a thousand miles behind, there were some shape-shifting demon beasts and high-ranking demon cultivators, also locked in a distant standoff.
They did not intervene, merely watching the battle below coldly while keeping each other in check.
Over a stretch of sea, an endless mass of black mist was rolling toward a city towering on a massive island.
Within the black mist, countless demonic shadows flickered, as if concealing an army of thousands.
But suddenly, from the depths of the sea near the island, a dragon-like roar erupted, shaking the entire sky.
Then, fierce winds and towering waves surged on one side of the island. As the waves parted, a colossal green beast’s head, ten thousand feet long, slowly emerged from the depths. Its surface was pockmarked, covered in green seaweed and rubble, making its original appearance unrecognizable. Yet, when its two murky eyes opened and swept a cold glance at the distant black mist, its abyss-like maw gaped wide.
A thunderous boom resounded, causing the entire sea to tremble.
A blue radiance surged from the beast’s maw, transforming into a blue hurricane that swept across the sea toward the black mist.
Despite the tens of thousands of demonic beasts within the black mist, none could resist the hurricane’s force, akin to the power of nature itself. They were helplessly sucked into the beast’s maw.
Even the nearby sea level dropped slightly as vast amounts of seawater were drawn in.
After swallowing so many demonic beasts, the colossal head closed its eyes and slowly sank back into the depths.
In an instant, the sea returned to calm, as if the earlier demonic onslaught had never occurred.
On a high tower of the distant island, a tall figure watched all this with icy eyes.
—
**Tianyuan City!**
Han Li sat cross-legged on the highest floor of the tower, his hands forming seals. Before him floated a golden gourd and a dazzling golden sword diagram. His eyes were slightly closed, as if immersed in a profound state.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and his hand seals shifted. A finger tapped the golden gourd.
The gourd trembled, its surface flashing with radiant light as incredibly intricate five-colored runes appeared.
A low hum followed.
The gourd’s mouth opened, and a burst of light shot out, releasing five flying swords—gold, yellow, green, red, and blue. Each was only an inch long, crystalline and shimmering with dreamlike hues, exuding an air of mystery.
With a sword seal, Han Li sent the five swords soaring into the sky, each manifesting its own power.
A muffled *thud* sounded as the red sword burst into flames, transforming into a ten-foot-long fiery serpent that danced wildly.
The blue sword spiraled, releasing tendrils of blue mist that quickly formed clouds in the air, obscuring the sword itself.
The most astonishing, however, was the unassuming yellow sword. It trembled and grew to over thirty feet, its surface hardening into layers of yellow stone, resembling a massive earthen blade. With each swing, the surrounding space vibrated, its power clearly immense.
The gold and green swords remained largely unchanged, merely glowing brilliantly.
The five swords chased and danced in the air, displaying remarkable sentience.
Yet Han Li’s gaze remained cold. After a brief display, he retracted his sword seal.
The swords let out a final cry, reverting to their original forms before being sucked back into the golden gourd.
His eyes then turned to the sword diagram beside him, his expression growing solemn.
Suddenly, he raised a hand and fired several incantation seals into the diagram.
The previously still diagram emitted sharp cries as golden light erupted from its surface. The countless tiny swords etched on it began to twist and writhe—first a few, then dozens, then hundreds, until thousands seemed to come alive.
With a low shout, Han Li spat out a wisp of azure spiritual energy, which vanished into the diagram.
A metallic cacophony burst forth as countless golden sword shadows surged from the diagram like a tidal wave. In moments, an oppressive, bone-chilling sword aura filled the hall.
Han Li’s brow furrowed as a third eye—the Annihilation Eye—manifested between his eyebrows. A surge of immense spiritual power erupted from it, flooding into the sword diagram.
Instantly, the ten thousand sword shadows in the hall flashed gold and began to revolve around Han Li, slowly at first, then with increasing agility, weaving through the air like fish, forming a formidable sword array.
His eyes gleamed as he prepared to channel more power into the array.
But then, the sword diagram trembled and dimmed, its light fading.
The golden sword shadows let out mournful cries, blurring before dissipating entirely.
Simultaneously, the third eye on Han Li’s brow vanished.
His expression darkened as he frowned at the sword diagram.
The golden gourd, possibly a relic from the Immortal Realm, had been obtained from the restricted area of the Cold Moon Realm. Given its potential origins, Han Li had studied it meticulously.
Fortunately, his mastery of Golden Script and Silver Tadpole Script allowed him to decipher some of its secrets, despite its alien craftsmanship. The flying swords within had been incomplete, but he had managed to refine them using rare materials of the five elements.
Originally pure metal, the swords now embodied the five elements. While their power might not match their creator’s intent, they were formidable enough to rival ordinary spirit treasures.
Yet, for Han Li’s current stature, they were of little use. Once fully tested, he planned to bestow them upon a disciple.
As for the sword diagram, its earlier display was inspired by a foreign technique Han Li had acquired. By refining the diagram’s innate sword energy, he sought to wield it like a conventional treasure.
The sword energy within was of Immortal Realm origin. If fully harnessed, its power would be unimaginable—capable of annihilating even Body Integration cultivators.
But the refinement process was time-consuming, and Han Li had prioritized cultivating his own power, leaving the diagram only half-refined. Moreover, the sword energy was finite; once exhausted, the diagram would be ruined.
He had yet to fully comprehend the “Mind Sword Art” embedded within. Even if the diagram were complete, he would only use it as a last resort.
Losing the Mind Sword Art would be an irreplaceable loss.
As Han Li pondered whether to attempt another refinement, his expression shifted. His hand shot backward, snatching a streak of flame that had shot through the door.
The flame burst in his grasp, revealing the urgent voice of Hai Dashao:
“Master, the Elder Council requests your presence at the Observation Platform. It seems the demons are besieging the city, and high-ranking demons have appeared.”
“High-ranking demons… Very well, let’s see what they’re capable of.”
Han Li’s eyes gleamed with a mix of contemplation and killing intent.
With a flick of his sleeve, he stored the gourd and diagram. A golden aura enveloped him as he shot out of the tower like a meteor.
The golden streak streaked across the sky without pause, heading straight for Tianyuan City’s outskirts.
At Han Li’s speed, a thousand miles passed in an instant. Within half an hour, the towering city walls came into view.
Beyond the walls, the sky was choked with demonic mist, blotting out the sun as if a mighty force had veiled it.
From beneath the mist, the ominous beat of war drums echoed.
On Tianyuan City’s side, horns blared as warriors and cultivators clad in armor poured from towers, rushing to their assigned posts with grim determination.
Along the massive walls, altar-like platforms rose from arrays with a rumble. Each bore colossal discs or spikes, attended by robed cultivators.
Above the city, already shielded by a colossal barrier, a radiant palace of white jade materialized, floating like a miniature city. Silver runes swirled around it, and shadowy figures of armored guards stood atop it.
At the palace’s highest tower, a golden mirror ten feet in diameter gleamed like a miniature sun, casting its light over half the city.
Every warrior and cultivator bathed in its light felt their spirits lift, their courage and resolve surging tenfold.
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