Screams had become the most common sound within Guixu, so much so that when their frequency began to crescendo, the vast majority of people remained oblivious. Only the most vigilant few noticed that within the blood-stained Guixu, several faint shadows had emerged. They drifted through the ruins, seemingly aimless, but upon encountering the clamorous cultivators, they would strike without hesitation, cutting them down mercilessly.
"Shadows from the Misty Shadow Sky?"
The four from the Lichen Sect had never truly experienced the might of the Three-layer Talisman Seal. Yu Ci had once spoken of such matters, and though his explanations were vague, the four had paid attention. Yet, paying attention was one thing; witnessing the formidable nature of these shadows was quite another. All four were renowned masters of the Sword Way, with exceptional skill, and the sight of the shadows' passage—sword intent fierce and invincible—left them momentarily stupefied.
They were the rising stars of the Lichen Sect, each having undergone decades of training and immersion by the sect's elders, with exceptional insight and discernment. Precisely because of this, they understood all too well the extraordinary level at which these shadows wielded their sword intent.
For a moment, the four were silent, suppressing their auras to avoid detection by the shadows, carefully deliberating their next move.
"Our junior brothers are in the Eastern Marquis Tombs, currently defenseless amidst the chaos. They need to escape as soon as possible."
"We came through a shortcut and now our path back is unknown. With numerous seals within the Sword Immortal's Secret domain, assistance would be most welcome."
"Has Senior Brother Xifeng sensed Junior Brother Yu's location?"
"Since entering this garden, the connection has been tenuous, and just now it has completely vanished..."
The four exchanged worried glances. The Lichen Sect, a formidable force within the Sword Garden and with the advantage of terrain, had not anticipated the sudden emergence of the Sword Immortal's Secret domain—an unprecedented event that nullified their geographical advantage, and to make matters worse, there were inconceivably powerful beings like the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave and the Heavy Weapon Sect Leader.
"Regardless, we must accomplish three tasks. First, we must ensure the safety of our fellow sect members; second, we must inform the elders as quickly as possible; and third, we must strive to stabilize the situation here. Since the Five Thunderbolt Tribulation, the Sword Garden has been one of our sect's most important training grounds. Losing it would have immeasurable consequences."
In this critical moment, Hua Xifeng, as the foremost disciple of his generation, wasted no more time in making a decision: "Junior Brother Xiao, it will be tough, but you must find a way out. Together with Junior Brother Zhao, escort our junior brothers out of the Sword Garden and find an opportunity to send a message to the sect elders. As for the Eastern Marquis Tombs, they must be preserved intact, especially the Great Sun Main Hall."
Xiao Lu, a man of the Discipline Department, was taciturn and impartial, with an unassuming manner but unmatched resilience. Zhao Fu, still within the Eastern Marquis Tombs, was an expert in the Talisman Array Method, thorough in his considerations. The two were perfectly suited for such a protective mission. Xiao Lu had no objections; without delay, he nodded and departed.
Hua Xifeng, Li Hong, and Wang Jiu, the three who remained, were tasked with "stabilizing the situation." Unlike Xiao Lu and the others, who had a clear objective:
"So, shall we move forward?"
Their eyes met and nodded in agreement. They were yet unaware of the renown of the Star Track Sword Realm, but having spent time in the Lifeless Deathless Garden, they could tell that this layer of sealing was precarious, on the verge of collapse at any moment. This fact could not be concealed; many keen and astute individuals had set their sights on it, rubbing their hands in anticipation, waiting to surge toward the core.
"I have memorized the path where Junior Brother Yu's aura wandered. We'll follow that route shortly."
Li and Wang both nodded in agreement. Hua Xifeng's divine ability to sense the harmony between heaven and earth, though devoid of any lethal force, proved immensely useful under these circumstances.
As they were about to further their discussion, a shiver ran through all three of them simultaneously; they shifted positions, standing back to back. Silently, numerous figures had closed in, nearly imperceptible against the chaotic backdrop. Had it not been for their acute spiritual awareness, they might have been easily encroached upon and surrounded.
Hua Xifeng barked, "Who goes there, lurking in the shadows? Do you really take the Lichen Sect for easy prey?"
"Far from it," came the reply. "I've always held Cultivator Xifeng in high regard. I made my presence known before entering the garden, so there's no breach of etiquette here."
Accompanying the voice, one figure stepped forward from the group with confident strides. Under the starry sky, he was seen clad in a resplendent black robe, his hair thinning, and his face bore a smirk that was particularly irksome. Such a figure could only be one person in the Sword Garden.
"So, it's the King of Slaying."
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Hua Xifeng's gaze swept over the newcomer without a flinch before scanning the encircling crowd, causing his brow to furrow. There were more than a dozen of them, and even the least skilled among them possessed the cultivation of the Initial Stage of Golden Elixir. Observing the flow of their auras, some fierce, some sinister, some chilling to the bone, and sensing a vague commonality, the identities of these individuals were all but revealed.
"Tsk, the Nine Mysteries Sect, Light Demon Sect, Ice Snow Demon Palace... It seems we have a grand assembly of the Northern Land Demon Gate."
Li Hong patted his protruding belly and laughed heartily, seemingly at ease. However, Wang Jiu, from the same Empirical Department, knew that his senior brother had already discreetly deployed a Magical Instrument.
Each name uttered by Li Hong commanded respect. When the Primordial Demon Sect splintered into hundreds of branches, both the Nine Mysteries Demon Sect and the Ice Snow Demon Palace were among the top ten. The Light Demon Sect might have been somewhat inferior, but at their level, both Di Tianluo and Di She were absolute powerhouses. Surrounded by such a group, the situation was far from favorable.
While they sized up their opponents, they too were being scrutinized. It was fortunate that the trio was resolute in mind; otherwise, the pressure from over a dozen Golden Elixir cultivators, including five or six who were no less skilled than themselves, would have been unbearable for anyone else.
Wen Shifei, leading the group, dropped his pretense upon seeing their composed expressions. Taking another step forward, his lips twitched into a semblance of a smile, "Please, the three of you, this Sword Immortal's Secret domain is indeed extraordinary. Are you here to claim a share of the treasure, even with the Eastern Marquis's tomb already in your grasp?"
Hua Xifeng responded coolly, "The Sword Garden was established by the predecessors Yuan Dao and Master Tribulation-Free and the Lichen Sect through an agreement. It was later opened to all cultivators as a place to seek fate and advance in cultivation. As stewards of such an important site, the Lichen Sect has a duty to maintain it. Any disturbance is our responsibility to address. But what brings you here, Wen Shifei?"
"Simply to seek my fate," Wen Shifei replied with ease, brushing his sleeve. "The opening of the Sword Immortal's Secret domain, a cycle that comes once every five thousand years, is an opportunity for the myriad cultivators within the Sword Garden. I, too, humbly wish to partake in this fortune, and there's no shame in admitting that."
Hearing this, Hua Xifeng's brow furrowed again. Compared to Wen Shifei, he knew far too little, and any further argument would not work in his favor. With the upper hand, Wen Shifei no longer beat around the bush, revealing a grin:
"Encountering the three of you here is indeed a serendipitous 'coincidence.' 'Fate' is nothing if not this. What do you say, Cultivator Xifeng, Daoist Li, Daoist Wang? Such a tremendous opportunity is too much for any one party to swallow alone. Why not join forces and share the wealth?"
The subsequent remark was utterly discordant, yet it betrayed Wen Shifei's domineering stance, veiled beneath his jesting tone. Upon hearing this, Hua Xifeng's already slender eyes narrowed to slits, his gaze sharp as frost-edged blades, slicing across the man's face before she coolly declared:
"The Lichen Sect prides itself on purity, refusing to be sullied."
"Excellent."
Wen Shifei burst into hearty laughter, which was met with a few cold sneers from the periphery, making the air around Hua Xifeng and his two companions weigh down as if a hundredfold heavier. As Wen Shifei's laughter ceased, he said indifferently, "Desires arise from the human heart; where in this world can true purity be found? I take pleasure in fulfilling others' aspirations, so I shall send the three Daoist friends beyond the thirty-six heavens, to seek your Supreme Sage of Taiqing and pursue that elusive purity."
As his words fell, the Lifeless Deathless Garden was immediately engulfed in demonic energy that blotted out the stars and moon, bearing down oppressively.
Hua Xifeng and his companions let out simultaneous long howls, each activating their Sect's secret arts, mustering all their strength, resolved to fight to the death.
"People's hearts may be filled with myriad desires, but to say there is no place of purity to be found is perhaps not quite true."
A thread of voice echoed in everyone's ears, and from the shadows of the garden, a figure emerged. Under the starlight, the onlookers couldn't make out the details, but the first thing they discerned was the newcomer's white hair, striking in its starkness, and a face lined with wrinkles, the visage of one far advanced in years.
Yu Ci slowly opened his eyes, his thoughts a chaotic maelstrom, twisting into countless forms. It took him a long time to regain his composure.
This was the fourth time.
Just like the previous three attempts, he remembered only that when his divine consciousness probed into the entwined clouds, it was met with a powerful backlash that sent him flying, followed by dizziness, unconsciousness, and a host of other discomforts.
Clutching his forehead, Yu Ci almost believed his skull had cracked open, but in reality, aside from some abrasions, there were no other suspicious marks. In contrast, his Divine Soul was exceedingly frail, and within the Inner Void of the Heart, not to mention the various Divine Power External Appearances, even some Rune Patterns surrounding the Life Death Talisman had shifted, their movements far from the smooth agility of his prime.
"I've reached the limit." Yu Ci acknowledged that his near-reckless actions had finally brought him to the brink of danger. It was as if he had been struck by four heavy hammers in succession; sheer brute force had battered him into this state.
He did not immediately rise but lay there, eyes wide open, gazing upward at the "canopy." If within those entwined clouds truly lay the "Upper True Nine Heavens Flying Immortal Sword Scripture," then Yu Ci had indeed felt its formidable power. What troubled him more was that despite suffering such a loss, he was no closer to understanding the situation within the "canopy"—it felt as though he had been struck squarely in the face, yet the sensation was like being hit with a muffled blow... and not just once, but four times in succession!
That thing is indeed beyond my reach for now.
Yu Ci slowly propped himself up, calming the last bits of restlessness in his heart. He was no fool; four consecutive, almost foolish assaults were merely to confirm one thing: he was still unable to escape the "trap" laid out by the mysteries of Xuanhuang!
Because he had willingly faced the "hammer," the injuries to his Divine Soul were still within controllable limits. What he needed now was rest. Fortunately, this place lacked many things, but a dwelling was assuredly provided.
He stepped back onto the cloud-pathed trail, taking a turn halfway to head towards a courtyard he had visited before.
As the silhouette of the courtyard came into view, Yu Ci walked on, mulling over his previous conundrum. However, at that moment, a thunderous boom resonated in midair, jolting his mind. Yu Ci started, suddenly recalling a detail he had overlooked, and inwardly cursed:
How could I come here when my Divine Soul is at its weakest?
Hanging his head in sheepish apology, I overestimated my own speed... It won't be possible tonight, and I don't have the courage to guarantee tomorrow, but I am striving to move forward.
...