Ning Yao commented, “This Zhou Haijing, her fighting is quite pleasing to the eye.”

One moment her fist is like a swaying willow branch, the next her hand is like holding a flower, her form dancing like fluttering colored clouds.

In Ning Yao’s view, the brawling of martial artists, with punches and kicks traded back and forth, is actually more captivating than the spellcasting duels of Qi refiners on the mountains. As for the sword cultivators’ swordplay exchanges, they are quite boring.

Compared to Zhou Haijing’s flamboyant punches and kicks, and her swift movements, Yu Hong’s fists and feet appeared broad and forceful, her fist intent robust, and her Qi aura swirling around her like several coiling dragons. Several times when she engaged Zhou Haijing in close combat, she gained the upper hand, shattering the female grandmaster’s bracelet and several hairpins. The spectators, especially those sons of dukes and ministers who couldn’t hold their heads high in Yichi Lane and Chier Street, when they saw Zhou Haijing’s instep ruthlessly strike Yu Hong’s ribs, with immense force, sending Yu Hong instantly sliding horizontally dozens of zhang across the martial arts arena, they all applauded and cheered loudly.

Yu Hong steadied herself, casually brushed her clothes, and a small cut appeared on her cheek, slowly seeping blood. It was a minor injury caused by Zhou Haijing’s earlier hand-blade strike. This young woman was truly ruthless. The previous hand-blade, with its imposing momentum, seemed to strike directly at the neck, but it was all a feint. The killing move was her thumb, which attempted to gouge out one of Yu Hong’s eyes. Yu Hong did not hesitate at the time, kicking towards Zhou Haijing’s abdomen. The latter, in order to deflect the force and avoid being kicked through, had to retreat a step. Otherwise, this exchange would have been equivalent to Yu Hong trading an eye for the life of a peak realm martial artist.

Chen Ping’an was still meditating, distinguishing the punches by sound, which was not difficult at all for a martial artist who had reached the Return to Simplicity first layer. He explained softly to Ning Yao, “Zhou Haijing is fishing. In less than half an incense stick’s worth of time, she deliberately used six different theories of pugilism, seventeen fist techniques, all learned from others. Her advantage lies in the ingenuity of her techniques, but her weakness lies in the shallowness of her fist intent. It’s diverse but lacks depth, because none of them are Zhou Haijing’s own true fist arts. She avoids matching her strength directly with Yu Hong at every turn. In addition, the hand-blade just now was probably to constantly deepen the impression in Yu Hong’s mind that ‘Zhou Haijing is a female martial artist.’ I guess when Yu Hong takes her first breath, it will be the time for Zhou Haijing to decide the outcome with her. One careless move, and she will trade a serious injury for Yu Hong’s life.”

Ning Yao asked doubtfully, “Do they have a feud?”

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment, “Hard to say. Some martial arts fanatics simply enjoy life-and-death combat, using it to hone their martial arts.”

Like the old chef from his own Fallen Mountain.

Zhou Haijing clenched several precious beads in her hand, exerting force lightly, causing them to creak. The bracelet had broken its string from being affected by Yu Hong’s fist aura earlier, and most of the beads had scattered on the ground.

She smiled charmingly, “Old Senior Yu’s old waist is still going strong. No wonder you have expanded your branches and leaves, with many sons and grandsons. On the way to the capital, I heard that in the former Zhu Ying Dynasty, your Yu surname martial artists were impressive, with fists that controlled half the nation.”

The onlookers roared with laughter.

Yu Hong frowned slightly, “Martial artists’ sparring, less idle chatter.”

Zhou Haijing raised her hand, released her fist, and the beads were crushed into a powder, scattered in all directions by the wind.

She cupped her fist high and smiled, “It can be regarded as a medicinal ingredient, prolonging life. Women can use it as powder for their faces.”

The old lady will have to charge extra at the shop for that line.

Yu Hong vaguely showed some anger, “Martial arts sparring is not child’s play, Zhou Haijing. In the martial arts path, your realm breakthrough has been too smooth, to the point of such disrespect for the martial way. Today, this old man will teach you how to be a pure martial artist!”

Zhou Haijing clapped her hands, “Just don’t teach me how to be a woman.”

Whistles rose and fell.

Yu Hong sneered, “Eloquent, what pure martial artist?! Next, this old man will not be polite with you. If I accidentally knock out your peak realm, remember not to blame heaven and earth, you brought it upon yourself.”

Ning Yao smiled, bent her finger, and gently tapped someone’s forehead.

Chen Ping’an said helplessly, “I’m not Ma Kuxuan, I rarely chat when fighting, especially when exchanging pugilism.”

Zhou Haijing feigned horror, patted her chest, and swayed slightly.

Seeing this scene of charm, countless lecherous men and philanderers howled from below the stage.

On another rooftop, Zhao Duanming suddenly looked in one direction, and the youth was greatly shocked. He tugged at Cao Gengxin’s sleeve and said mentally, “Cao Wine Gourd, His Majesty and the Empress are here. Yu Hong and Sister Zhou have such great faces, enough to bring glory to their ancestors. Sure enough, learning pugilism is good. Where can our Qi refiners’ fights allow His Majesty to take a few more glances?”

Cao Gengxin didn’t even look in the direction the youth was pointing, but just stared intently at the wonderful pugilism exchange in the Luoshi Dojo. When Sister Zhou was standing still, her legs were already very long. When exchanging pugilism with people, she was heroic and spirited. Cao Gengxin wished he could push aside Old Master Yu and let himself take a leg to remind the youth, “Mind your eyes. If you can’t help but look at what you shouldn’t, that is cultivating your mind.”

Zhao Duanming withdrew his gaze and laughed angrily, “If you have the ability, then mind your mouth, don’t drink alcohol.”

Cao Gengxin sipped his wine and said with a smile, “I just want to use wine to block my mouth. Drinking and getting slightly drunk makes my vision hazy, and beauties are more beautiful when seen through a mist.”

A pair of dignified and composed couple, with young faces, followed by a little girl, had just sat down, sitting by the window of a restaurant outside the martial arts arena. There were some melons, fruits, and snacks on the table. The nearby tables were naturally occupied by the Great Li imperial family’s cultivators, who had cast illusions. The three at the main table were Emperor Song He, Empress Yu Mian, and Yu Yu, a military strategist from the Earth Branch lineage. Only His Highness Prince Song Xu did not appear.

The restaurant was not cleared of people.

Yu Yu, who was of the age of a maiden, had a low seniority in the Yu family of the Upper Pillar Kingdom, lower than Yu Mian, so when the Empress returned home to visit her family, she would have to call the maiden “Aunt.” In the countries of the Treasure Bottle Continent outside the Great Li, according to court law, the Empress was almost never able to return home to visit her family, but the Song family of the Great Li had always been lenient in such matters. Whether it was Nan Zan returning to Yuzhang County in those years, or Yu Mian going to Yichi Lane twice, the Ministry of Rites had no objections.

Yu Yu was secretly stealing wine in front of the Emperor, one pot after another. After stealing those pots of Changchun Palace wine, which had a light taste but a long aftertaste, the maiden began to stare at the few jars of immortal tea on the next table. Those on duty couldn’t drink alcohol, but they drank first-class good tea.
Ning Yao said, “You guessed wrong. Zhou Haijing doesn’t seem to be aiming for a life-or-death struggle with Yu Hong. Her attacks were quite measured. Could it be that she already knows she will be the last cultivator of the Earthly Branches lineage?”

This martial exchange lasted for a full two incense sticks, almost half an hour. In the end, Zhou Haijing lost by a single move, and neither participant suffered serious injuries.

Yu Hong clasped her fist in a salute, showing respect to all directions.

Zhou Haijing covered her face with her hand and spat out a mouthful of blood, a pitiful sight.

Just now, she had been struck in the face by Yu Hong’s fist, and as she staggered, she was lightly tapped on the back of her head by Yu Hong’s elbow.

If Yu Hong had used her full strength, Zhou Haijing would have either died or regressed in her cultivation.

Zhou Haijing revealed a smile. “After I recover, may I seek guidance from Senior Yu again?”

Beforehand, she had sold everything she had, even borrowing immortal coins from Su Lang, betting on herself to lose, to make a fortune!

Yu Hong nodded. “As you wish.”

Chen Ping’an sat up, narrowed his eyes, and looked at the female martial artist who seemed indifferent to victory or defeat. He communicated with Ning Yao through their heart connection, “We can be fairly certain, Zhou Haijing harbors a deep grudge against Yu Hong, perhaps killing Yu Hong alone won’t be enough to sate her hatred.”

Suddenly, Chen Ping’an turned his head to look in the direction of the Upside-down Mountain and Dragon Flood Ditch of the past, his face slightly pale.

Ning Yao asked, “Did someone make a move in the Wild Desolate World? A’Liang? Zuo You?”

Because of the dual influence of the Sword Qi Great Wall and the suppression by the Great Dao of the Wild Desolate World, Chen Ping’an sensed a hint of something amiss.

Chen Ping’an took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, “The two of them are fighting together.”

Ning Yao didn’t need to think for a moment. She said directly, “Can you roughly determine the location of the battlefield? I can open the heavens with my sword, first return to the Five Colors World, and then rush to the battlefield in the Wild Desolate World.”

However, Ning Yao knew very well that even if she arrived in time, she might not be able to help. If Mount Tuoyue’s plan already included her, she might even hinder them.

Chen Ping’an shook his head and suddenly smiled. “We must trust A’Liang and Senior Brother.”

A’Liang and Zuo You, drawing their swords together.

It was probably like… the Great Sword Immortal Chen Qingdu leaving the city to fight and giving his all, pouring out all of his power.

To make up for a great regret for humanity.

A carefully orchestrated ambush by the Wild Desolate World.

Mountains and rivers shattered, the earth cracked, spiritual energy was in chaos, and all the hidden ambushers were exposed.

The first great demon of the Wild Desolate World to appear was Shou Chen, the eldest disciple of Wen Hai Zhoumi, one of the new thrones, a sword immortal with a single eye, a sword box on his back, six swords hidden within, and wearing a emerald green Daoist robe called “Collected Banana.”

Shou Chen was one of the two newest Ascendant Realm sword cultivators in the Wild Desolate World after the war. The other was Fei Ran, who ascended to the position of Lord of the World in one fell swoop.

Shou Chen’s expression was solemn. Even though his side had the advantage of timing, location, and strength, he didn’t let his guard down in the slightest. Shou Chen looked at A’Liang, who wore four swords at his waist. In this battle, anyone could die and their Dao disappear.

Following closely behind Shou Chen was a female immortal realm great demon from Mount Tuoyue, whose alias was Xinzhuang, the direct disciple of the Great Ancestor of Mount Tuoyue. She and A’Liang had known each other for many years. In the Immortal Realm, as a formation master within a small world formation, her combat power could be considered equivalent to an Ascendant Realm cultivator.

A large formation appeared beneath their feet, shaped like a black and white yin-yang fish intertwined together. Shou Chen and Xinzhuang stood atop the heads of the yin-yang fish, suspended in the air, rotating with the formation.

The formation was extremely simple, just a yin-yang fish diagram, without any further embellishment. However, the aura of the Great Dao was extremely profound and vast, like the authentic orthodoxy of the simplest principle of the world.

Xinzhuang sighed softly, looking at the man who clearly knew the immensity of heaven and earth, yet insisted on going south alone, deep into the heart of the Wild Desolate World. She said softly, “A’Liang, you shouldn’t provoke a world like this.”

The Wild Desolate World and the Sword Qi Great Wall had been locked in a ten-thousand-year confrontation. Ascendant Realm great demons were difficult to kill, and Ascendant Realm sword cultivators were even more difficult to kill.

On A’Liang’s left, two hundred miles away, an old mountain-moving ape, stepping on a flying sword and carrying a long staff on its shoulder, used its magical powers to suppress a mountain beneath its feet, preventing it from being shattered by A’Liang’s sword intent.

This great demon, whose true name was Zhuyan, one of the old thrones, grinned and said, “You son of a bitch, since you’re tired of living, Grandpa will send you on your way today to accompany Dong Sangeng down below. It’s a pity you’re not in the Fourteenth Realm, or Grandpa would have even more credit.”

Several hundred miles to A’Liang’s right was Guan Xiang, an Ascendant Realm great demon with white eyebrows and hair, wearing a white robe, also one of the new thrones. He had already used his magical powers to twist and reconnect a river several hundred miles long, ultimately confining it into a miniature meditation cushion.

Guan Xiang laughed loudly at A’Liang, “Brother A’Liang, your demeanor hasn’t diminished from the past, but it seems like it will be difficult for you to slip away this time. Otherwise, you can help me pass a message to the Hidden Official. What I said during the previous discussion still stands.”

He was trying to persuade the young Hidden Official to defect to the Wild Desolate World, marry his little daughter, and become one of the new thrones without a doubt, with a guaranteed high ranking. Guan Xiang was willing to yield his position to him, allowing him to become the head of the family. The territory under Guan Xiang’s control was now completely comparable to a continent in the Glorious World. One day, when Chen Ping’an reached the Fourteenth Realm as a sword cultivator, he might even be able to share the world with Fei Ran.

A’Liang raised his middle finger remotely.

This old man Guan Xiang had even less discernment than the old blind man. Between himself and Chen Ping’an, who had the more handsome appearance? Did he have no sense of that?

The great demon Guan Xiang raised a hand, confining a strand of sword intent from beside him. Lightning and thunder manifested around his fingertips.

Further away, there was a rider, galloping on a horse in the clouds, clad in golden armor, holding a spear, and wearing a mask, obscuring his true appearance. Two small meteor hammers, one bright red and one jet black, hung from his waist.

The demon cultivator Rou Yi, whose Daoist name was Shuoren, stood beside the rider. She was tall and slender, dressed in the style of a Daoist nun, wearing a fish tail crown.

She wore a yellow and purple Daoist robe, held a horsetail whisk in her hand, and behind her was a halo of a full moon.

Although these two were only Immortal Realm cultivators, they were listed as targets to be killed in both the Summer Resort Palace and the Confucian Temple of the Central Earth. The only demon cultivators to receive this honor, including Shou Chen, numbered only three.

A’Liang looked around, his eyes glazed over. After a long time, he squeezed out a frustrated sentence, “Damn it, it seems today’s lineup is half a step short of Bai Ye’s. It’s truly heartbreaking, a crushing disappointment.”

During the siege of Bai Ye in Fuyu Continent, there were countless throne-level great demons, more than one could count on a single hand, and they were all old thrones of the Wild Desolate World, without the slightest bit of exaggeration.
Rouyi smiled, continuing to wave the horsetail whisk in her hand, dispersing the lingering sword intent within a few miles again and again, and pushing it slightly outwards. It was indeed troublesome. Within a thousand miles, the abundant sword intent flowed subtly everywhere. Their own siege magic treasures, mystical spells, shrinking landscapes, and certain escape techniques would be difficult to execute, and it would be easier to reveal clues. Even so, no one was willing to be the early bird, taking the lead in using great divine abilities similar to moving mountains and overturning seas, or changing small worlds, to transfer this sword intent elsewhere.

Who would have thought that a person’s sword intent, poured out between heaven and earth, could be measured by weight, and in hundreds or even thousands of pounds?

It really didn’t make any sense.

The rider beside Rouyi was someone who had emerged out of nowhere, and even she didn’t know the origin of their Great Dao inheritance. The latter had not had a direct confrontation with Aliang on the battlefield, at most having watched the siege and defense battle of the Sword Qi Great Wall from afar, having seen Aliang descend from the sky, and the subsequent magnificent sword questioning with Liu Cha.

She had to patiently explain, “Winning or repelling Aliang is completely different from keeping or killing him. Not everyone can exchange punches with Dao the Second. Aliang has two things that the cultivators on the mountaintop fear the most. One is that he is not afraid of being surrounded and killed, and he is good at fighting a group alone. The other is that, so far, no one knows what magical power his natal flying sword has.”

Speaking of this, Rouyi glanced at a distant direction and whispered, “As for whether Mount Tuoyue has a plan to encircle and strike at reinforcements, perhaps.”

Aliang suddenly withdrew the posture of drawing his sword, and with a light hop, he stood on one leg like a golden rooster, shaking his leg, then switching legs to shake again.

His fingers intertwined, held across his chest, his wrists and arms undulating like water.

The golden armored knight grunted, “This appearance is really annoying.”

Rouyi smiled, “You’ll get used to it.”

When the real fight starts, they won’t be able to care.

Sure enough, two more groups of behind-the-scenes figures appeared in the distance one after another.

One was a skinny old man with a cane and sunken cheeks, a Fourteenth Realm great cultivator, the founder of the Hall of Valor in the Wilderness World.

This was a visitor from beyond the heavens, who had not appeared in the previous battles. It was not until the confrontation between the two worlds was discussed that he appeared on Mount Tuoyue, very late in coming.

According to the secret records of the Summer Palace and the Confucian Temple, when the Dao Ancestor rode an ox past the pass, he was probably heading for him. This old fellow naturally did not dare to discuss the Dao with the Dao Ancestor, so he hid outside the heavens, and ultimately gave up the chance to enter the Fifteenth Realm, while at the same time, implicitly clearing a path to the heavens for Wen Hai Zhou Mi.

The Ascension Realm sword cultivator, Fei Ran, the nominal master of the Wilderness World today.

Fei Ran and his senior brother, Qie Yun, were direct disciples of this old man, but Fei Ran was Qie Yun’s disciple taken on behalf of the master, so he had never met this master before.

The departure of the Great Ancestor of Mount Tuoyue was actually a dispersion of the Dao. The greatest gift was given to Fei Ran, who was highly regarded by Zhou Mi, as well as Shou Chen and Zhou Qinggao.

The Jade Pure Realm female sword cultivator, Liu Bai, was wearing a celestial soldier robe called “Fish Tail Cave Heaven”.

On the other side were Xiao Xun and her friend Zhang Lu.

Fourteenth Realm sword cultivator Xiao Xun, she sat cross-legged in the air, tugging at her pigtails, as if watching a play, while Great Sword Immortal Zhang Lu was drinking.

These two sword cultivators actually had a very good relationship with Aliang in the early years at the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Xiao Xun said with a straight face, “It would be too much of a loss to die at the hands of others, might as well be beaten to death by me.”

Zhang Lu remained silent, only drinking. The wine that this Great Sword Immortal was drinking now was all brought by Xiao Xun from the Vast World, but the variety was still far from enough, especially lacking the immortal wine from the Zong-character immortal families of Central Earth Divine Continent.

The chilling spring breeze and the bleak autumn wind could both blow away the drunkenness.

But in fact, what can sober you up the most is the troubling things of the world, it is too difficult to get drunk, and easy to sober up.

An old undead who was approaching perfection in the Fourteenth Realm, seemed to have an extremely ancient Daoist name, with a great meaning, “First Rise”.

The old fellow was really talented, to give himself such a resounding Daoist name.

An Ascension Realm sword cultivator who condensed the fortune of a world, was similar to Ning Yatou, both of them were sure candidates for the future Fourteenth Realm, of course, provided that Fei Ran could survive today’s battle.

A Fourteenth Realm sword cultivator who had refined the entire Hall of Valor, what was Xiao Xun trying to do, to be so angry with the Great Sword Immortal? As a sword cultivator, she took a side path of refining heaven and earth to merge with the Dao to reach the Fourteenth Realm. In fact, with Xiao Xun’s aptitude and roots, as long as she was willing to wait, there was no need to do so. However, Xiao Xun always liked to act on impulse, regardless of heaven or earth, or even life or death, only seeking a moment of joy. The more peaceful the Vast World was, the more unhappy she was at the Sword Qi Great Wall. If Xiao Xun had not been held back, the Vast World might have lost at least one more continent, such as the Northwest Flowing Glow Continent.

A Great Sword Immortal of the Sword Qi Great Wall who used to be a drinking buddy. Friends are friends, the battlefield is the battlefield, each is responsible for their own life and death.

As for that Jade Pure Realm little girl… she can just watch from the sidelines.

Liu Bai herself didn’t know why she was brought to participate in this siege, but it was the joint intention of the Old Ancestor and Fei Ran.

However, being on the battlefield today, Liu Bai had no fear at all, her sword heart was firm, and she only had respect for Aliang, who was a great headache for the Wilderness World.

Only a certain person would make her feel like she was facing a great enemy, almost causing her inner demons to stir, even if she only glanced at him.

Zhang Lu held the empty wine jar and laughed, “I have never seen Aliang’s natal flying sword with my own eyes. I even joined forces with others to get Aliang drunk back then, but I couldn’t get the name of the flying sword out of him. This guy always steps on his right foot with his left foot whenever there are women at the table after he drinks, but he never throws up or falls down, and he can even say heartfelt words to the women, calling it ‘truth after drinking’.”

Xiao Xun nodded, crossed her arms, and sneered, “I came for his natal flying sword, otherwise I wouldn’t bother to come and join in the fun.”

Zhang Lu curiously asked, “I asked Aliang back then if he could beat Dong Sangeng, and Aliang only said with a smile that he couldn’t, how could he possibly beat old man Dong.”

Xiao Xun hesitated for a moment, and said, “Apart from Chen Qingdu, perhaps no one knows how high Aliang’s sword dao really is.”
The grand battle was about to erupt. Within the formation, Shou Chen’s voice echoed in Xin Zhuang’s mind, “Xin Zhuang, be careful. Ah Liang will target you first. He’s been fixated on eliminating you from the very beginning, so you must prioritize survival and delay him as much as possible.”

Among cultivators, which type of Qi refiner is the most vexing? The answer is formation masters.

In a narrow sense, formation masters are similar to Han Zhoujin of the Earthly Branches lineage. Ultimately, they invert the natural order, seize advantageous terrain, and win over the people.

In a broader sense, every sage who presides over a Small Paradise is, in fact, one. For example, Chen Ping’an, due to his flying sword “Caged Bird,” can also be considered a formation master.

Xin Zhuang nodded slightly.

Even though she was merely bait, she feared being taken down too quickly by Ah Liang.

When ambushing ordinary Ascendant Realm cultivators, such concerns would be unheard of. Would anyone worry about the bait being consumed too swiftly?

The old man smiled and asked, “Today, Ah Liang seems different from what you described. Despite being in a situation where he’s facing a multitude alone, he’s strangely silent and doesn’t utter his usual sarcastic remarks.”

Fei Ran nodded, “This is when Ah Liang is most frightening.”

Surrounded, Ah Liang surveyed his surroundings, nodding in satisfaction. This was more like it.

The scale and spectacle of this confrontation surpassed even the battle in Fuyu Continent.

Not only were there two Fourteenth Realm cultivators, but there were also an abundance of sword cultivators today.

It was well worth the effort to summon Zuo You as reinforcements.

Even on the battlefields of the Sword Qi Great Wall, Ah Liang rarely coordinated his swordplay with others.

So too, did Zuo You.

Ah Liang, of the Yasheng lineage, and Zuo You, of the Wensheng lineage, were the closest of friends, their bond remaining unbroken despite the “Three-Four Dispute.”

Ah Liang glanced at the heavens, taking a deep breath.

The Heavenly River washing the armor of celestial soldiers was most suitable for forging swords.

Today’s sword duel truly required no further words from him. After all, for sword cultivators, all reason lies within the sword.

From the ruins of the Sword Qi Great Wall at the northernmost edge of the Barren World, a long line was drawn.

The intensity of the sword qi spanned nearly half the Barren World’s mountains and rivers, yet this beam of sword light remained cohesive and undiminished.

It was as if a great bridge of sword qi had been erected across half the world.

On the city wall, Cao Jun stared in disbelief, straining his eyes to see the end of the long line, but his vision fell short.

Could this be… “Sword-severing the world?”

Cao Jun rubbed his aching eyes and couldn’t help but turn to ask, “Wei Jin, if you were to reach the Ascendant Realm, could you accomplish this?”

“Of course not.”

Wei Jin replied without hesitation, “Mr. Zuo’s swordplay is already at its pinnacle. The only one who can surpass Mr. Zuo’s sword skills today is Mr. Zuo himself when he ascends to the next realm.”

Wei Jin suddenly said, “Calm your mind. Just now, there was a slight dissipation of your sword heart.”

Cao Jun was stunned and horrified. Had Wei Jin not spoken up, he would have been completely unaware. Cao Jun quickly examined his Small Paradise, scrutinizing his mental state. Only then did he discover that within the heart-image, a small patch of the ten thousand green lotuses had subtly tilted. Cao Jun immediately sat upright, painstakingly “righting” each one.

Wei Jin waited until Cao Jun had restored his Dao Heart before saying, “Your talent for sword cultivation is indeed remarkable. To be able to recover that wisp of your spirit so quickly is rare. Most sword cultivators, even when alerted by others, can only helplessly watch as such imperfections manifest. There’s a reason why Mr. Zuo is willing to teach you the art of the sword.”

Cao Jun chuckled, “Wei, the Great Sword Immortal, why didn’t you remind me sooner?”

Wei Jin shook his head, “You’re not a novice on the path of cultivation. Guiding someone is not about coddling, but about illuminating the path to prevent them from straying or going astray.”

Cao Jun sighed, “The logic is sound, but it’s still irritating to hear.”

Wei Jin smiled, “Being older than me by quite a bit, and lower in cultivation by two realms, it’s understandable that such words would be irksome.”

Cao Jun felt that the atmosphere of the Sword Qi Great Wall had gone awry.

Many Qi refiners from the Central Earth Divine Continent and the Ai’ai Continent came here to travel. The former possessed the greatest vision, while the latter had abundant wealth.

Zuo You’s transformation into a rainbow and his far-reaching journey across the Barren World had already astounded even Cao Jun, a Nascent Soul sword cultivator. Naturally, these Qi refiners were even more shocked, standing frozen on the city wall, like wooden chickens.

Suddenly, someone chuckled.

“I am still unable to contend with Dao Lao Er. I suppose further realm breakthroughs are required.”

“Whether Zuo You can attain the Fourteenth Realm and whether Lu Zhi can ascend to the Ascendant Realm are things worth anticipating.”

Cao Jun turned to look. It was a Daoist Earth Immortal, whose boastfulness knew no bounds.

He was a middle-aged man with a long beard, wearing a Daoist robe, a traveler’s crown, and cloud-walking boots, with a wooden sword on his back.

However, this air of immortality might fool ordinary mortals and those in the lower five realms, but it wouldn’t work on Cao Jun.

Cao Jun said with a smile, “This Daoist priest, judging by your tone, you can contend with the truly invincible one of White Jade City?”

The Daoist priest stroked his beard, squinted his eyes, and smiled, “Let’s take those auspicious words from Sword Immortal Cao.”

At the same time, Cao Jun asked mentally, “Wei Jin, could he be a pretentious recluse?”

Wei Jin replied, “I can only discern that he’s a Nascent Soul cultivator, but you should still be careful with your words. It’s best to avoid unnecessary trouble.”

Cao Jun was relieved. He’d only listened to half the story. The Great Sword Immortal of the Wind and Snow Temple wouldn’t misjudge someone unless they were in the Ascendant Realm.

Unless it was one of those rare cases: talisman masters like Zhao Tianlai of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and the Fire Dragon True Man of Pa Di Peak. These masters deliberately concealed their aura. But, these old Ascendants all walked the world in an open and upright manner, disliking the use of illusionary tactics.

It couldn’t be that he had run into a Fourteenth Realm cultivator. Impossible!

Cao Jun cupped his fists, chuckling, “A pleasure to meet you.”

The middle-aged Daoist glanced at Wei Jin and Cao Jun, who were sitting on opposite sides, and smiled, “If one’s ambition is not strong and their will is not valiant, if one is mired in vulgarity and bound by emotion, how can one seek a place to arrange one’s life in this mortal realm? Surely, it would be difficult to enter the hall and attain the grand romance of a sword immortal.”

Wei Jin smiled, dismissing the comment.

His emotional entanglement was already well-known. There was no need to become enraged by a random wandering Daoist’s casual remark.

Cao Jun chuckled, “This Daoist priest, are you teaching me the art of the sword? What, are you also a sword cultivator?”

“What kind of sword cultivator am I? I’m completely ignorant of the sword. I’m just an onlooker, enjoying the spectacle.”

The middle-aged Daoist smiled and shook his head, not continuing the conversation. Instead, he chose a spot on the city wall between the two, lightly leaped onto it, and sat cross-legged.
“Oh, it’s nothing, just acknowledged two nephews who got a good deal. It’s a pity these two fellows, when it comes to studying, are truly far behind Chen Pingan. They can only grasp a superficial meaning, and even forgot that the phrase ‘resolve is not strong, will is not generous’ comes from a ‘Letter of Admonishment to Nephews.'”

“This trip to the desolate wilderness isn’t for anything major, just relaxing, enjoying the scenery, and settling accounts with that old deaf man who guards the Sword Qi Great Wall’s prison. It’s just that he’s hiding quite well. I did some deductions before, traveled to a few places, but still couldn’t ferret him out.”

“There’s no helping it. After all, this isn’t the Azure Billow World; there are too many obstacles to the evolution of the Great Dao. If all else fails, I’ll take a trip to Jade Splendor City and ask Zheng Juzhong.”

“This City Lord of White Emperor City left a message at the Confucian Temple in the Central Earth, inviting me to visit Jade Splendor City when I have time, with great sincerity.”

He chuckled in his heart, “Great Sword Immortal Wei, fortune favors the bold. Since you possess a sword manual inherited from Zong Yuan, why haven’t you yet obtained those lingering ancient sword intents? If I were Zong Yuan, I’d be a little disappointed in you, the successor personally chosen by the old sword immortal.”

Wei Jin said in a deep voice, “May I ask for your name, senior!”

Wu Shuangjiang smiled and said, “It’s not worth mentioning, just think of me as Lord Hidden Official’s uncle.”

Wei Jin was completely bewildered.

Azure Billow World.

There was a burly man, sitting cross-legged on a sea of clouds, drifting along with the clouds, drinking wine, and casually tossing away the wine gourd.

Standing beside the man was a handsome young man with his hands behind his back, wearing a tiger-head hat, which was a bit comical.

If it weren’t for this hat, his appearance and demeanor would seem to embody all the qualities of an “immortal banished to Earth.”

The man stood up, stretched, loosened his muscles and bones, interlaced his fingers, twisted his body, and then inexplicably threw a punch towards the distant front.

His fist shook the White Jade Capital!

He ran away after hitting.

The man reached out and wrapped his arm around the tiger-head-hatted youth’s neck, dragging him away. The youth crossed his arms, his feet off the ground, as if lying horizontally, calm and composed.

The only one who dared to throw a punch at the White Jade Capital, the only one who dared to treat Bai Ye like this, was his close friend, Liu Shiliu.

Desolate Wilderness World, on the battlefield.

A great battle, where it was almost impossible to distinguish who was besieging whom, officially began.

After his sword was broken early on, A Liang had only ever worn a bamboo knife, and even when facing Dao Lao Er in the Outer Heavens of the Azure Billow World, he did not use a sword.

Today, A Liang held the hilt with both hands, slowly drawing the sword from its scabbard, choosing an unprecedented two-handed sword stance to face his enemy.

Sword cultivators and their swords are not bound by heaven and earth; neither should be a prisoner in its sheath.

This short man, a man who liked to call himself a swordsman, was merely holding a sword in each hand, and before he had even truly drawn his swords, countless sharp flying swords condensed from sword intent already filled the surrounding天地.

It was like a magnificent manifestation of the Great Dao; in the alien mountains and rivers within a radius of three thousand miles, there were tens of thousands of flying swords.

Every wild demon participating in the siege had their share, each needing to face a sword formation.

Countless flying swords, appearing and disappearing without a trace, rose and fell randomly, crisscrossed, and slashed and killed indiscriminately.

A Liang slightly bent his knees, spread his arms, held his swords, and said softly, “Nightfall.”

The landscape, originally bathed in daylight, seemed to receive an imperial decree. With only two words from the swordsman, the heavens and earth changed color; in an instant, the天地 darkened, pitch black.

Thunderclap, Firestorm, Torrent, Comet.

Four magnificent sword lights transformed from the Sword Dao simultaneously burst forth in the night.

Thunder and lightning intertwined, snow-white and brilliant; flames formed a long dragon, crimson red like blood; rivers rolled by, emerald green; comets dragged their tails, streaking across the sky.

It was as if a sword cultivator, simply because his Sword Dao was too high, could simultaneously wield four deities with his sword, and thus possessed a kind of unreasonable innate divine power.

Counterattack.