Chapter 52:

Jinghuagu.

Upon learning the true relationship between He Xianwo and Sang Qi, the cultivators fell into despair. Even more despairing was the fact that Sang Qi’s displayed strength clearly surpassed Xie Xuechen’s. If Xie Xuechen could not stop Sang Qi, Jinghuagu would be reduced to ruins that very day.

The Grand Elder knew that this was a life-or-death moment for Jinghuagu. She had no choice but to set aside everything and fight with all her might. With a single command, several Fajiang Sovereigns formed a formation, focusing their minds to manifest their Fajiang. The Fajiang of Jinghuagu’s female cultivators often took the form of immortal herbs and rare flowers. Several Fajiang, several zhang tall, stretched out their branches, leaves, and vines, emitting a fragrant aroma. For a moment, the valley was filled with ethereal beauty, breathtaking and magnificent.

Sang Qi lazily smiled, seemingly unimpressed by the threat.

“Who among you here twenty years ago participated in the attack against me?” His cold silver eyes swept the surroundings, passing over faces trying to appear calm but filled with hidden fear. “You, and you…” His slender index finger pointed at several faces. Those marked felt a chill in their hearts and showed signs of fear. “I remember all of you.” As Sang Qi spoke, he slowly clenched his fingers. A mysterious force surged inward as his palm closed, as if invisible hands were pulling those he had marked. The crowd was alarmed and unleashed their full Fajiang power in a desperate attack on Sang Qi.

As the formation strengthened and their techniques synchronized, several radiant streams of spiritual energy converged upon Sang Qi simultaneously, stirring up a violent ground-level hurricane that obliterated countless flowers and plants. The lake’s surface trembled violently, its shimmering reflections fracturing into chaotic ripples.

Sang Qi’s expression sharpened. He thrust his demonic arm forward, its dark patterns whirling rapidly as countless tadpole-like black runes twisted and surged upward. Within a ten-zhang radius centered on him, everything slowed to a standstill—as if time itself had frozen. The dazzling energy streams, once swift as lightning, decelerated abruptly upon entering this domain.

Extending his other hand—slender and pale—Sang Qi conjured a luminous white sphere in his palm. Though it appeared pure and pristine, the sphere radiated an overwhelmingly terrifying and razor-sharp aura, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Xie Xuechen’s sword qi.

One hand black, one hand white—spiritual energy and demonic energy coalesced in Sang Qi’s grasp. With a faint smile, he slowly pressed his palms together. The opposing forces seethed violently yet intertwined under his control, erupting in a blinding explosion of light.

Boom—

The explosion shook the entire Jinghuagu. The valley’s abundant spiritual energy surged like boiling water, no longer calm and peaceful, but wild and violent as if agitated. The Yu Dai River overflowed, submerging the flower fields and medicinal gardens on both banks. A waterspout appeared on Yanbo Lake, crushed beneath Sang Qi’s foot. Despite prior precautions, many were still caught in the terrifying blast, spitting blood and falling unconscious.

The several Fajiang cultivators bore the brunt of the attack. Several suffered injuries to their spiritual senses, blood seeping from their eyes and ears, a horrifying sight.

Xie Xuechen erected a barrier to protect the dozen or so people around him, including Su Ningzhen and Gao Qiumin. Gao Qiumin, shocked by the scene before her, trembled as she said, “How can he be so terrifying… Master, we’re all going to die here today…”

Su Ningzhen coldly snorted, lowering her gaze thoughtfully, though her face showed no fear.

Xie Xuechen’s expression grew graver. He solemnly said, “Stay here. Do not leave the barrier.”

Sang Qi’s strength was terrifying. Below the Fajiang level, no one could confront him directly, not even withstand the residual shockwaves of his attacks. Sang Qi was a once-in-a-millennium prodigy, not only creating his own demonic techniques as a half-demon but also cultivating both demonic and spiritual arts. The demonic energy and spiritual energy repelled each other, yet when forcefully fused, they exploded with tenfold power, rivaling the self-destruction of a Fajiang.

The Grand Elder’s face was pale and lifeless. Their strongest attack had not even shaken Sang Qi. In a single clash, they had been utterly overwhelmed, while Sang Qi seemed to have barely exerted himself, unscathed.

“Grand Elder, we must sacrifice ourselves to stop Sang Qi!” One person coughed blood while speaking, clutching her chest.

“If only one of us sacrifices, we still cannot stop him. If we all self-destruct, Jinghuagu will cease to exist…” The Grand Elder sighed bitterly. Twenty years ago, they attacked this half-demon, never imagining such a calamity would come upon them today.

Sang Qi coldly chuckled, “Grand Elder, you do have some self-awareness.”

Without giving them more time to recover, Sang Qi attacked again, gathering spiritual energy in his palm. The abundant spiritual energy in Jinghuagu aided him in refining it into a weapon. Another powerful surge of spiritual energy radiated outward. Everyone used their Fajiang to resist, but within moments, their Fajiang were shattered by Sang Qi’s spiritual energy. Just then, a golden light descended from the sky like a fire meteor, forcing Sang Qi to withdraw and defend himself. His demonic arm opened its five fingers, and thick demonic energy formed a barrier to block the sharp sword tip. The golden light sword was a symbol of yang and righteousness, exuding an unstoppable, fierce momentum. It pierced through Sang Qi’s demonic shield, creating a crack that spread outward. The golden crack tore through the thick black mist but then met another pure white barrier.

A sharp intent akin to Jun Tian’s neutralized its attack. As Jun Tian’s momentum waned, Sang Qi seized the moment, resorting to his old tactics—attempting to crush Jun Tian’s sword energy with the overwhelming force of the Yin-Yang Dual-Polarity Formation. Demonic energy and spiritual energy converged and merged once more, the two forces resisting Jun Tian, trapping it in a dilemma between advancing and retreating. The golden sword energy was compressed and absorbed into the demonic and spiritual energies. With a deafening explosion, Jun Tian shattered into fine golden sand, returning to Xie Xuechen’s hand, its radiance noticeably dimmed.

Xie Xuechen felt the resentment and anger transmitted through his palm. Jun Tian had never suffered such humiliation before. The frontal attack of the Yin-Yang dual-polarity formation was more powerful than the self-destruction of a Fajiang. What was even more distressing for Jun Tian was not just the heavy blow but being captured, unable to advance or retreat, a humiliating defeat.

“Master Xie, your sword intent has weakened. Is it because your heart demon has stirred and your Dao heart has become chaotic?” Sang Qi coldly and arrogantly stared at Xie Xuechen, smirking mockingly. “The sword intent of Yongxue City is emotionless, and Jun Tian’s sword energy is the most destructive force of absolute destruction. But you have let your heart waver for one person. Is your sword intent still pure?”

Xie Xuechen calmly replied, “It seems you have indeed put a lot of effort into defeating me.”

Mu Xuanling heard every word clearly. She later realized that Sang Qi had sent her to Jinghuagu intentionally, making Xie Xuechen emotionally involved for her sake, thus disturbing his cultivation. Xie Xuechen was the only person Sang Qi feared. Even after obtaining the Yuque Sutra and surpassing Xie Xuechen in power, Sang Qi still wanted to take every precaution, doing everything possible to weaken Xie Xuechen. Yet, he did not resort to schemes against Xie Xuechen because he understood him too well—schemes wouldn’t work on Xie Xuechen, but open manipulation could make him willingly walk into a trap.

The hardest thing to overcome is the word “emotion.”

She was his weakness…

“Master Xie, you are the opponent I respect the most. I can give you a dignified death, so that Ling’er will have a place to mourn in the future.” Sang Qi smiled, as if already certain of victory.

Xie Xuechen gripped Jun Tian tightly. His icy, handsome face showed no trace of fear. Riding the wind, he rose into the air, his white robes fluttering, revealing a towering sword god Fajiang behind him. Snow and wind surrounded him, instantly turning Jinghuagu into winter, with frost forming on plants and trees.

“Do you know where Jun Tian comes from, Sang Qi?” Xie Xuechen held his sword before him, brushing his two fingers along the blade. Wherever his fingers passed, strange lights flowed. The previously dimmed Jun Tian sword reignited with fighting spirit.

Sang Qi’s smile faded, his silver eyes fixed on Xie Xuechen.

“Jun Tian is a killing intent left behind by Pangu’s axe—a destructive force that split the heavens and the earth, shattering the world.” Sang Qi solemnly spoke, watching Jun Tian’s transformation. It seemed an incomprehensible power surged forth from Jun Tian, giving him a sense of danger. Yet Xie Xuechen’s aura was clearly weaker than his. How could he still have the power to threaten him?

“Destructive force? No.” Behind Xie Xuechen, the white-robed sword god turned sideways. The previously blurred face gradually became clear—sharp eyebrows concealing sharpness, phoenix eyes radiating sharpness, exquisitely carved and chiseled features, cold and handsome, bearing eight parts resemblance to Xie Xuechen, yet possessing two more parts of divine compassion and solemnity.

Sang Qi’s pupils constricted. He abruptly stepped back, crossing his hands before him, his demonic arm surging with countless threads of demonic energy intertwined with spiritual energy, forming a powerful protective shield. He did not know why the sword god Fajiang had changed, but he dared not show the slightest disregard. Was the Yuque Tianpo not Xie Xuechen’s ultimate killing move?

“You only witness its devastation, yet overlook the vitality within this sword strike.” Xie Xuechen’s icy voice resonated slowly, his righteous aura amplifying his words across every corner of Jinghuagu, as if echoing in every heart. “The mightiest sword energy is not devoid of emotion—it is profoundly emotional. Pangu’s axe shattered chaos, cleaved yin and yang, and birthed the world. This was the most domineering and formidable force since creation’s dawn, yet its descent was never meant for destruction. Its name is—Wanwu Sheng (The Genesis of All Life)!”

As the final three words rang out, the sword finally fell. The sun and moon shone brightly in the sky, only to suddenly dim, as if all light had condensed into that single sword strike. It swallowed the heavens and the earth, pierced through space itself—a force capable of creating a world. Even a god standing there would have no choice but to await its fate.

The demonic energy scattered upon encountering the light. Spiritual energy melted like spring snow. Sang Qi looked on in horror at Jun Tian approaching him. He realized that this sword strike, Wanwu Sheng, was one he could neither block nor evade!

His spiritual energy was more abundant than Xie Xuechen’s, yet he still could not defeat Xie Xuechen. After all his scheming, was he destined to suffer a crushing defeat?

Resentment surged in his heart. Sang Qi’s eyes reflected the world-shaking sword strike. His heart violently contracted, his body trembling fiercely. The surging spiritual energy desperately blocked Jun Tian’s downward strike.

—This should not be a power possessed by humanity. How could he borrow the strength of heaven and earth?

Sang Qi spat blood, his silver eyes turning crimson. He let out a long howl, his aura rising once more. Suddenly, he grabbed his right arm with his left hand and tore it off with force. The demonic energy scattered the gushing blood into a mist. His red eyes showed despair and madness, yet his lips curved into an eerie smile.

“Ha ha ha ha ha…” Sang Qi laughed hoarsely. He threw the demonic arm forward. The severed limb seemed to have its own consciousness, opening its five fingers like an eagle’s claw. The demonic arm kept growing larger, actually intercepting the sword strike. At the same time, Sang Qi rapidly retreated, escaping the range of Wanwu Sheng’s sword force. The demonic arm could not withstand the sword strike, being crushed into blood mist by the golden light. Sang Qi was not fast enough to avoid it entirely, being slashed across the chest by Jun Tian. Blood spurted, soaking his black robe. He fell from the sky, heavily crashing into the sea of flowers.

Jinghuagu suddenly fell into a deathly silence. No one spoke, no one moved, as if no battle had ever occurred, except for the faint scent of blood in the wind.

Xie Xuechen’s face turned pale. He staggered to one knee, barely managing to support himself with Jun Tian to avoid collapsing.

This sword strike, Wanwu Sheng, was one he comprehended at the brink of death. It was his strongest sword strike. This strike drained all his spiritual energy, leaving his spiritual senses in silence, and Jun Tian no longer radiated any light. Because Pangu’s creation of the world was an all-out effort, leaving no room for retreat.

Extreme fatigue and pain swept through his body. Jun Tian suddenly vanished. Just as he was about to collapse without Jun Tian’s support, a pair of warm, soft arms caught him.

“Xie Xuechen.” Mu Xuanling caught his falling body, supporting his weight on her frail shoulders. Her hands held his arms, her forehead gently resting against his brow, as she poured her spiritual energy into his spiritual senses.

Xie Xuechen turned his face away, politely declining her help. He rasped, “It’s useless. Wanwu Sheng drained all my spiritual energy, and my spiritual senses have fallen silent. I must wait for them to recover naturally.”

“How are you feeling?” Mu Xuanling asked with concern.

Xie Xuechen replied, “I’m fine, just exhausted.”

Xie Xuechen’s gaze turned to where Sang Qi had fallen. The sea of flowers was in disarray from the battle, branches broken and flowers fallen. Sang Qi lay in a pool of blood, his breath barely perceptible. Even if he was not dead, he should no longer have the strength to fight. But this man was cunning and resourceful, and Xie Xuechen could not afford to be careless. He was about to warn Mu Xuanling when he heard Su Ningzhen’s hoarse and fierce voice from nearby.

“Qiu’er, capture Mu Xuanling!”

Mu Xuanling turned her head toward Su Ningzhen. Gao Qiumin had long harbored hatred toward Mu Xuanling, but Xie Xuechen had always protected her, preventing her from acting. Upon hearing Su Ningzhen’s command, she did not hesitate and lunged at Mu Xuanling.

Mu Xuanling’s expression turned sharp, and she dodged Gao Qiumin’s attack.

Gao Qiumin’s Spring Sword had long been taken by Mu Xuanling. Now, in Gao Qiumin’s hand was the Fushi Chen, the heirloom artifact of the Jinghuagu leader. The Fushi Chen struck the ground, raising countless clouds of dust, its momentum fierce, far beyond the level of a Golden Core cultivator.

Mu Xuanling suddenly realized, “Su Ningzhen transferred her cultivation power to you. Truly thoughtful.”

Gao Qiumin glared at Mu Xuanling with hatred, relentlessly attacking without hesitation. Worried about harming Xie Xuechen, Mu Xuanling could only dodge and lead Gao Qiumin away.

Xie Xuechen’s eyes turned cold. He sternly asked, “What do you mean, Master Su?”

The Grand Elder was also confused and angry. They had been severely wounded by Sang Qi and were powerless to fight. Seeing Gao Qiumin attacking Mu Xuanling, she anxiously said, “Su Ningzhen, Gao Qiumin, kill Sang Qi first!”

Su Ningzhen acted as if she hadn’t heard, her eyes bloodshot, staring fixedly at Mu Xuanling.

Xie Xuechen and Sang Qi had fought to a mutual injury. At this moment, he could only watch helplessly as Mu Xuanling and Gao Qiumin fought. Xie Xuechen watched a few moves before slightly relaxing. Gao Qiumin, having received Su Ningzhen’s forced cultivation enhancement, had abundant spiritual energy but lacked combat experience and was impulsive and impatient, soon to be defeated.

Mu Xuanling and Gao Qiumin were locked in battle. With rich combat experience and a calm demeanor, Mu Xuanling soon figured out Gao Qiumin’s moves, making her spin around helplessly. The more Gao Qiumin couldn’t match her, the more frustrated she became, easily falling into Mu Xuanling’s trap. Mu Xuanling swung her Duan Nian, the purple whip entangling the Fushi Chen. Gao Qiumin tightly held the Chen, but Mu Xuanling approached her, striking her right shoulder with a palm. Gao Qiumin cried out in pain, the Chen flew from her hand, and she staggered backward.

At that moment, Su Ningzhen unexpectedly attacked Mu Xuanling from behind. Although Su Ningzhen was at her last breath, she was still fierce and formidable. No one had expected that Gao Qiumin was just her distraction. She had been waiting for the moment when Gao Qiumin was defeated. As Mu Xuanling exhaled in relief and relaxed her vigilance, Su Ningzhen suddenly appeared behind her, delivering a powerful palm strike to her back. Mu Xuanling spat out a mouthful of blood, her body involuntarily flying forward, falling together with Gao Qiumin, her injuries more severe than Gao Qiumin’s.

Witnessing the success of her plan, Su Ningzhen’s eyes sparkled with ecstasy as she dashed forward to seize Mu Xuanling. However, a dark shadow moved even faster toward the two. A pale hand grasped Mu Xuanling, while another foot stomped down on Gao Qiumin. Gao Qiumin let out a cry of agony, looking up at Sang Qi in terror.

Blood continuously dripped from Sang Qi’s feet, soaking Gao Qiumin’s shoulder through his robe. His right arm was empty, the remaining left arm gripping Mu Xuanling’s slender neck. His handsome face was pale, but his lips were stained with crimson. He coldly laughed, “Thank you, Master Su, for delivering two hostages.”

Xie Xuechen clenched his fists, his phoenix eyes coldly staring at Sang Qi. “You’re not dead yet… Let go of Ling’er!”

To block that sword strike, Sang Qi had self-destructed his life-bound artifact—the demonic arm—and forced out all his potential. Though he barely clung to life, he had nearly exhausted his essence and would not live much longer…

Yet, instead of fleeing, he captured Mu Xuanling and Gao Qiumin as hostages. Why?

Mu Xuanling’s heart had been struck by Su Ningzhen, still painfully throbbing, and now Sang Qi had seized her life, leaving her powerless to resist.

Sang Qi lightly laughed, his chest wound bleeding again, soaking Mu Xuanling’s back. His voice was hoarse, his breath shallow. “Master Xie, you don’t think I would send Ling’er to you without any backup, do you?” His hand gripped Mu Xuanling’s throat, and threads of spiritual energy were forcibly drawn from her body into his palm, restoring some strength to his withered body. “She is my disciple, under my soul suppression. For her entire life, she cannot resist my will.”

Mu Xuanling felt her spiritual energy being uncontrollably drained, while Sang Qi’s aura behind her gradually stabilized. She focused her mind, trying to resist Sang Qi’s control, but was powerless.

“Ling’er, don’t waste your effort,” Sang Qi lowered his eyes, coldly watching her futile struggle. “I won’t kill you for now, but I can kill Xie Xuechen.”

Mu Xuanling’s heart turned cold, and she froze.

Sang Qi’s foot pressed hard on Gao Qiumin’s shoulder, and she cried out in pain. Sang Qi raised his eyes, threateningly looking at Su Ningzhen, asking, “Su Ningzhen, if you want Gao Qiumin to live, tell me where she is.”

Gao Qiumin cried out for help to Su Ningzhen, “Master, Master save me…”

Su Ningzhen glared at Sang Qi with clenched teeth.

“She is Ning Xi’s daughter, Ning Xi’s bloodline. Can you really kill her?”

Sang Qi coldly laughed, “Bloodline? She betrayed me, and the bastard born from Gao Fengyu. Why should I spare her? Oh, thanks for reminding me. I should break her arm first, to repay the sword strike from that day.”

As Sang Qi began to press down with his foot, Gao Qiumin screamed in agony. Sang Qi’s foot nearly crushed her shoulder. Su Ningzhen anxiously said, “Sang Qi, Ning Xi did not betray you!”

Sang Qi was startled and stopped his action.

Su Ningzhen’s figure swayed, her expression sorrowful and defeated. She rasped, “It was me who wounded you that day, not Ning Xi.”

“It was I who, following my master’s orders, disguised myself as Ning Xi, took her Spring Sword, ambushed you outside Jinghuagu, and cut off your right arm.”

“Those who ambushed you that day can all testify to this.”

Sang Qi’s cold gaze swept over the Grand Elder and others in the distance. The Grand Elder coughed, blood seeping through her fingers. Weakly, she said, “It is indeed true.”

They had all followed the orders of the previous leader, Miaohua Sovereign, to ambush a half-demon, but they did not know the reason behind it.

“Impossible.” Sang Qi lowered his gaze, his silver eyes flickering with doubt and a slight tremble. “Even if you and Ning Xi looked alike, I would not have mistaken you.”

“There is a rare flower in Qifeng Forest called Bulinghua. Its fragrance can confuse a person’s consciousness, making them see the person they most desire in their heart. Even a Fajiang cultivator cannot resist the confusion caused by Bulinghua.” Su Ningzhen took a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling voice. “That day, I applied the juice of Bulinghua on myself, confusing your consciousness.”

Mu Xuanling felt the hand holding her was icy and slightly trembling.

“What about Ning Xi?” Sang Qi rasped, “How did you know about my agreement with Ning Xi? What did you do to her?”

Avoiding Sang Qi’s piercing gaze, Su Ningzhen painfully said, “I was the one who betrayed the secret…”