End of Chapter One Hundred

Xu Lingfeng gazed at the Golden Swords in the sky as they abruptly changed direction. A flash of contemplation crossed his eyes, accompanied by a rising sense of familiarity deep within his heart.

Suddenly, as if struck by a revelation, his eyes widened in shock.

Not only him—the other elders of the Azure Cloud Sect shared the same realization. All of them stared wide-eyed at the Golden Swords, now diving sharply toward Ghost Valley after their sudden turn.

Chang Kong furrowed his brow and spoke out, “I’ll go take a look!” With that, his body soared skyward, intent on investigating. All five elders had come to the same conclusion; it was inconceivable that he hadn’t.

“Junior brother, calm yourself.”

Chang Kong had only flown a few yards before the voice of the Azure Cloud Sect Leader floated gently into his ear. His figure abruptly halted, and he turned to look at his senior brother, confusion written across his face.

“So reckless—unbecoming of the head of a sect,” the Azure Cloud Sect Leader said calmly. “There are so many juniors watching.”

“But...” Chang Kong opened his mouth, seeming to realize his impulsiveness was indeed unbecoming. Yet, it was his own disciple who had sent out those Golden Swords! How could he not be anxious?

The Azure Cloud Sect Leader seemed to peer into his restless heart and spoke evenly, “All the more reason to trust him at times like this, isn’t it?”

Chang Kong fell silent briefly and then turned back, flying beside the Sect Leader.

The Sect Leader was right. Precisely in moments like this, trust was paramount. To those who had transcended the Spirit Appearance realm, Ghost Valley was like a death trap. Anyone who entered could never come out whole. If he had charged into Ghost Valley out of concern for Shen Qingyun, the consequences...

He dared not think about it, nor entertain the thought. There were already too many such examples—each one a living soul lost.

“Heh heh, could those Golden Swords really be wielded by disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect?” Nearby, the leader of the Hundred Flowers Sect chuckled slyly. Every smile and frown was laden with seductive charm, causing the gazes of some less disciplined sect leaders to involuntarily fall upon her alluring form.

The Azure Cloud Sect Leader appeared unmoved, responding, “Indeed, those swords are wielded by disciples of my sect.”

“Disciples capable of summoning so many Golden Swords...” The Swordcraft Sect Leader took over, “I must admit, I am curious. Even I cannot fathom the essence contained in each sword. Azure Cloud Sect doesn’t have such techniques, do they?”

“What does it matter to your Swordcraft Sect?” the Azure Cloud Sect Leader retorted. “You are the strongest sword cultivators among the Five Great Sects. If you cannot discern what is contained within those swords, you’d be a laughingstock.”

The Swordcraft Sect Leader did not take offense. As a sword cultivator, if he could not control his emotions well, he would not be considered a qualified one. Besides, the Azure Cloud Sect Leader was right. Among the Five Great Sects, the strongest sword cultivators should be able to see through the essence within their blades. Failure to do so would mean they were unworthy of their title.

What truly shocked him was that within the Five Great Sects, someone had comprehended the sword intent to a degree far surpassing him. More astonishingly, the owner of that sword intent was but a disciple. This realization dealt him a heavy blow, which explained his earlier words.

...

After turning, the Golden Swords flew back toward Ghost Valley.

The seal of Ghost Valley was no match for these golden blades.

When the swords pierced the sealing formation a second time, the formation shattered like eggshells struck against a stone.

Inside Ghost Valley, the pitch-black sky instantly fractured as the Golden Swords returned. Sunlight poured in, banishing the darkness that had cloaked the valley.

Yet the black smoke that had filled every corner of the valley, now unrestrained, surged upward in thick columns, streaming toward the heavens. The sunlight dimmed as the dark smoke spread.

“It’s light! The seal of Ghost Valley has vanished!” shouted a sect disciple inside the valley, staring fearlessly into the sunlit sky.

Outside Ghost Valley, not only did the sect leaders and elders widen their eyes at the towering black smoke, but even the five sect masters could no longer maintain their composure.

The Azure Cloud Sect Leader’s expression darkened. His voice was low and commanding: “Attack together—do not let this black smoke spread!”

“Agreed!”

The four other sect masters nodded in unison. Together with the Azure Cloud Sect Leader, they transformed into five beams of radiant light, rushing toward the source where the black smoke surged inside Ghost Valley.

Suddenly, twelve golden rays shot forth from within the valley. Their fierce aura caused the five sect masters to halt abruptly.

These twelve beams were naturally twelve Golden Swords. The swords intertwined, surrounding the rising black smoke, faintly forming a formation.

The Golden Swords’ energy blazed like rainbows. After encircling a cluster of black smoke, they did not pause but sliced through it with sharp golden light that seemed capable of tearing space itself. Each cut dissolved part of the smoke.

Witnessing this, the five sect masters felt somewhat embarrassed. It seemed their intervention was no longer necessary.

Their gazes shifted downward, and light flickered in their eyes. They could now see through the rising smoke to the scenes inside Ghost Valley.

With the smoke gone, the valley’s true desolation lay bare.

What they had mistaken for dark rocks due to the valley’s environment were, in fact, rocks that had completely blackened within Ghost Valley.

Golden Swords circled Shen Qingyun, whose gaze fixed on a particular spot. His voice carried clearly across the distance: “Where do you think you can escape to?”

The purple-haired youth’s body stiffened. He had planned to slip away while everyone’s attention was drawn to the sunlight flooding Ghost Valley.

Seeing the sunlight was like seeing hope—for them, and for him.

With the seal broken, he could leave. Once outside, he would regain his strength. Then, dealing with these people would be effortless.

Yet he was discovered by Shen Qingyun.

Biting his tongue, the purple-haired youth spat out a mouthful of black blood. The blood exploded into a mist that enveloped him. In an instant, he transformed into a plume of dark violet smoke, speeding away into the distance.

But could he outrun Shen Qingyun’s swords?

Shen Qingyun observed everything clearly from the air. With a thought, two swords detached and flew forth, faster than the purple-haired youth.

Two golden streaks of light shot forward, freezing the youth’s eyes. Ahead of him hovered two golden longswords.

He gritted his teeth and turned to flee in another direction.

Yet none of this escaped Shen Qingyun’s watchful gaze.

The two swords had long since awaited silently along the youth’s only escape routes.

A surge of humiliation and anger rose within the youth. This was clearly mockery—though they could have grievously wounded him, they chose not to.

“My subjects, heed my command!”

The purple-haired youth’s ancient voice echoed through the valley.

“Pursue and kill every outsider without mercy!”

As his voice fell, deafening roars erupted from the center and rear of Ghost Valley. The remaining monsters within the valley had revolted.

Roars echoed incessantly, and the thunderous sound of monsters running could be heard from afar.

The purple-haired youth glanced back at Shen Qingyun, a cold sneer curling his lips. “Not killing me, huh? Fine. I’ll unleash the remaining monsters to hunt down the stragglers. Without strong protection, those who encounter them will surely perish!”

“Decide now whether you wish to continue toying with me, or to save others!”

He was confident that Shen Qingyun would abandon pursuit of him to rescue those in peril.

But things did not unfold as he expected.

Shen Qingyun paid no heed to the howling or the occasional cries for help echoing around him. His gaze remained calm and fixed on the purple-haired youth.

“Impossible!” the youth’s heart trembled. His face was filled with terror as he stared at Shen Qingyun. Everything was contrary to his expectations!

Shen Qingyun’s composure stemmed from a firm reliance.

Outside, the five sect masters witnessed the scene. Turning sharply, they ordered in stern voices, “Elders of the sects, listen carefully! Enter Ghost Valley immediately to rescue our disciples!”

The elders of the Five Great Sects were stunned, then realized that the threat of Ghost Valley had been neutralized.

Before they could react further, a figure surged forth, transforming into a rainbow light and diving through the shattered center of the valley’s formation.

“Let’s go too!” Xu Lingfeng took a deep breath, his expression grave.

“Mm,” the other four elders nodded solemnly, each wearing a serious countenance. They had never imagined they would reenter Ghost Valley again.

“Help! No, don’t come near me! Save me...”

A disciple fled in panic, stumbling to the ground. Behind him, a monstrous creature with massive black wings on its back and a human-like face marred by countless cracks advanced. As it neared, the cracks on its face abruptly opened to reveal a disgusting mouth from which tentacles coated in slimy mucus emerged.

Just as the disciple despaired, a sudden surge of spiritual energy erupted, hurling the monster dozens of yards away.

Xu Lingfeng’s figure descended slowly before the shaken disciple. Turning, he said, “Go and gather with the others.”

“Ah, ah?” The disciple looked at Xu Lingfeng, “Elder Xu? Is that really you?”

“Mm.” Xu Lingfeng nodded lightly.

Hope flickered in the disciple’s eyes. He stood, bowed deeply to Xu Lingfeng, then turned to flee.

After the disciple left, Xu Lingfeng’s gaze returned to the monster he had knocked back. “Once, I nearly died by your hands. Today, let’s settle the score!”

...

“The elders have arrived! We’re saved!”

Hearing the excited voices echoing through Ghost Valley, Shen Qingyun’s lips curled in a faint smile as he looked at the purple-haired youth trapped by the Golden Swords.

“Now, do you understand?”

Without waiting for a reply, Shen Qingyun shifted his focus. At once, the twelve Golden Swords surrounding the youth simultaneously reversed their blades, piercing through his body...