A crimson radiance, so intense it obscured the sun and enveloped the sky, descended upon the land. From the peak of Skyreach Summit, the entire horizon had transformed into a blood-red canvas, with dark, crimson clouds roiling and churning, pressing down on the soul like a suffocating weight. Beneath this scarlet veil, everything was tinged with a sinister hue. The sky, the mountains, the swirling mists above the sea of clouds, and even the droplets cascading from the Celestial Bridge—all were drenched in a macabre red. It seemed as if even the biting mountain winds, as they whistled past, bore the color of blood.
The thick, cloying stench of blood permeated the air, carried by the wind to the very summit of Skyreach.
Countless figures scaled the slopes of Skyreach from all directions, a dense, unbroken mass that seemed to stretch endlessly. Their eyes glinted with an unnatural red light, their movements frenzied and purposeful. Most of these individuals, by their attire, appeared to be ordinary villagers from the foot of Azure Ethereal Vapors, yet their agility and strength far surpassed that of any commoner. The strange, malevolent force that had taken hold of their minds, turning them into such ravening beasts, was the baleful red light that shone from the heavens.
With a mere wave of his hand, the Demon King could command an army vast and inexhaustible, and even these enthralled commoners, when subjected to the Blood Array, would unleash tenfold their potential, becoming a formidable force. It seemed there was no strategy or countermeasure that could withstand the might of the Devil Sect’s Ghost King. A single madman could be easily dismissed, but a hundred, a thousand, or as in this case, a horde of a hundred thousand, swarming like a crazed army of ants—such a sight chilled the heart.
Among the seething masses, a number of individuals, illuminated by the baleful light, stood out. Their cultivation levels far exceeded those of the mindless throng, and they possessed the ability to fly and wield their swords with devastating effect. Many had already surpassed the prowess of the Azure Ethereal Conclave’s defenders. These were none other than the once-righteous cultivators who had been ensnared by the Ghost King’s insidious powers.
With such elite fighters at his disposal, along with an endless tide of berserk minions, the assault of the Devil Sect surged forward like an unstoppable tidal wave. Under the crimson glow, the Azure Ethereal Conclave disciples guarding the Cloud Sea could barely mount a semblance of resistance before being forced to retreat onto the Celestial Bridge.
It wasn’t long before the sounds of “swoosh, swoosh” filled the air, as the advancing forces of the Devil Sect overwhelmed the vast platform of the Cloud Sea. What had once been a serene, ethereal realm was now a chaotic battlefield, with the clamor of voices rising and falling, evoking a scene of hellish torment. More and more of the demonic throng crowded in, until not a single patch of ground remained unoccupied.
Above the fray, a massive, crimson orb, deeper and more ominous than the red clouds, slowly floated over the Cloud Sea platform. From within, a maniacal laughter echoed, “Hahahaha! Pathetic fools of Azure Ethereal Vapors, now you see the true might of the old master! Hahahaha… Where is Daoxuan? Daoxuan, you wretched dog, why don’t you come out? Didn’t you always proclaim yourself the savior of all creation? Isn’t the Immortalbane Nexus supposed to be invincible? Why are you now cowering like a coward? Hahahaha…”
The laughter was unrestrained and wild, almost bordering on hysteria. Yet, the sheer malice contained within it cast a pall of despair over the entire Skyreach Summit.
However, the offensive of the Devil Sect’s army had momentarily stalled. The reason was simple: the righteous cultivators, using the advantage of their position, had managed to hold the line at the Celestial Bridge. This bridge, a natural wonder, had become an impenetrable barrier for the demonic hordes. The bridge, though normally spacious, now resembled a narrow, perilous pathway for the thousands of soldiers trying to cross it.
The deranged and mindless throngs rushed headlong onto the bridge, only to find themselves pushed off the edge moments later, their screams echoing as they plummeted into the abyss, swallowed by the vast, bottomless sea of clouds.
The righteous cultivators, initially caught off guard by the sudden onslaught and severely outnumbered, had quickly retreated to the Celestial Bridge. Now, the elite members of Jade Purity Hall had joined the fray, significantly bolstering their defensive capabilities. The luminous aura of their powerful magical treasures and weapons danced in the air, far surpassing the initial chaos.
Though the numbers of the Devil Sect were overwhelming, only a handful of them could engage in direct combat. The majority were mere puppets, manipulated by the Ghost King’s sorcery through the Four Spirit Blood Array. While the array could unleash their hidden potential, granting them immense strength and agility, it could not teach them the arcane arts and sword-flying techniques required to match the seasoned cultivators. Thus, while the Devil Sect’s advance was impressive, most of their soldiers could do little more than charge blindly, finding themselves at a loss when faced with the impasse of the Celestial Bridge.
Some of the bewitched cultivators, still able to wield their swords and fly, engaged in fierce aerial battles. But they were few in number. The righteous cultivators, with added reinforcements, held the entrance to the bridge, while simultaneously dispatching the skilled Devil Sect fighters. In short order, they began to gain the upper hand.
Thus, the righteous side slowly regained its footing, turning the tide of the battle. The Devil Sect, however, saw their countless, frenzied soldiers trapped on the slender bridge, unable to advance or retreat. As time passed, more and more fell to their deaths, their black shadows tumbling down, their numbers even exceeding those slain by the righteous cultivators.
This unexpected turn of events left the Devil Sect in dismay, while the righteous cultivators, though still in a precarious situation, were emboldened. The situation was far from hopeless, and the momentum was slowly shifting in their favor.
However, this glimmer of hope was short-lived. As the Devil Sect’s advance was halted at the Celestial Bridge, the enormous, crimson orb in the sky gradually shifted, moving towards the bridge. The baleful red light expanded, resembling a malevolent demon reaching out with its claws.
The blood-tainted miasma swirled and churned, and suddenly, several blood-red beams shot down from the massive orb, targeting the righteous cultivators defending the bridge.
The venerable Master Pu Hong, who had already clashed with the Devil Sect, saw the approaching orb and grew grave. As the strange beams of light descended, his expression changed, and he shouted in alarm, “Move, quickly! Those beams can control the minds of the enemy!”
The righteous cultivators scrambled to avoid the beams, but their densely packed formation and the speed of the descending light made it impossible for all to escape. Several unfortunate ones were caught in the beams, their bodies shaking violently. Their faces contorted, their movements became sluggish, and their eyes began to glow a deep, crimson red.
In a moment of desperation, some of their comrades rushed to rescue them, only to find themselves attacked by the very people they sought to save. The cries of the wounded and the dead filled the air. Master Pu Hong, his face pale, bit back his sorrow and shouted, “Kill those who have lost their minds! There is no time for hesitation!”
With heavy hearts, the righteous cultivators struck down their former comrades, stabilizing the situation, but the shadow of doubt and despair hung over them. Just moments ago, they had fought side by side, and now, they were turning against each other. Who would be next?
The demonic throng, spurred on by the sudden shift, surged forward with renewed vigor. A small group managed to break through, and Master Pu Hong ordered their immediate extermination. The possessed cultivators, now monstrously strong, were difficult to kill, and the delay allowed more of the demonic horde to push forward.
The giant, crimson orb roared, and more beams shot down, creating further chaos. The righteous cultivators, though determined, were pushed back, and the demonic horde advanced, their savage cries echoing across the battlefield.
Amidst the chaos, Lu Xueqi fought valiantly, her celestial blade, Tian Ya, dancing in the air, each slash cutting down one foe after another. Her white robes, now stained with blood, were a testament to her relentless efforts. Gradually, her movements slowed, and the cries of despair around her began to dull her senses. She no longer kept count of the lives she had taken, driven solely by the instinct to survive.
She gritted her teeth, fending off three attackers with a sweep of her sword. Just as she prepared to block another blow, her legs gave way, and she stumbled. Summoning the last of her strength, she dodged, but the world spun, and a sharp pain shot through her shoulder. Blood splattered, and the agony fueled her resolve. She slashed back, felling her assailant, but the demonic swarm pressed in, and a wave of despair washed over her.
As she closed her eyes, accepting her fate, a voice called out, “Xueqi!” She opened her eyes to see her mentor, Water Moon, who had just saved her. Master Water Moon, though gravely wounded, commanded, “Xueqi, live on. Remember my words, and stay alive.”
But before she could respond, Master Water Moon staggered, her life draining away. A gory blade pierced her chest, and she cried out in fury, lashing out with her remaining strength. She fell, her eyes closing, leaving Lu Xueqi in a state of shock.
Her grief threatened to overwhelm her, but a sudden surge of energy coursed through her veins. She raised Tian Ya, the blade glowing with divine power, and repelled the attackers, but the loss of her mentor was too much. She faltered, and Sister Wen Min, also wounded, dragged her away, both of them fighting to stay alive.
As the demonic horde overwhelmed the bridge, the sacred Water Qilin, guardian of Azure Ethereal Vapors, emerged from the depths of the lake. The mighty beast charged into the demonic ranks, its claws and jaws tearing through the throng. The demonic horde, though vast, were driven into disarray, allowing the remnants of the righteous side to retreat to the Jade Purity Hall.
Lu Xueqi, nearly spent, looked around, seeing fewer than two hundred survivors, all bearing wounds. Despair clouded their faces, and even the mighty Water Qilin, though fierce, could not hold back the demonic tide forever.
The Qilin, though initially fearsome, eventually succumbed to the relentless pressure. With a final, deafening roar, it broke free, retreating to the depths of the lake. The righteous side, already in disarray, saw the Qilin’s defeat and braced for the worst.
As the demonic horde closed in, Lu Xueqi, on the brink of collapse, readied Tian Ya, preparing to end her own life. But before she could, a blinding light erupted from the sky, and the voice of the one she had called out to so many times echoed in her heart, “Xiaofan…”
The radiant figure, holding the legendary Zhuxian Sword, descended, and the demonic horde, sensing the impending doom, halted. The ghostly red orb, now enraged, transformed into a massive, crimson spear, hurtling towards the light. The radiant figure, undeterred, met the attack head-on, and with a single, mighty swing, the spear shattered.
The demonic horde, now leaderless and disorganized, began to scatter. The light from the Zhuxian Sword, now a blinding beacon, dispersed the darkness, and the sky cleared. The battle was won, but the cost was high. The righteous cultivators, though victorious, were left to mourn their fallen and to rebuild their shattered world.
Lu Xueqi, weary and wounded, looked around, seeing the devastation and the surviving few. She found herself in front of the humble cottage, the place where she had once known peace. The wind whispered through the grass, and a sense of calm settled over her. She heard the distant chimes of the cottage, and a familiar voice called out, “Xueqi…”
And in that moment, she knew that the future, though uncertain, was still full of hope. The story of love, loss, and redemption had come full circle, and the cycle of life and rebirth continued.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage